Sketches of China:

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THE R£AR ADM ERA L

IRANKLIN HANtOKU. i:. S. N.

COLI.ECnO>f IN THE

NKW VOKK PUBLIC LIHRARY

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SKETCHES

' OP

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:e i^ ii ^

ILLUSTBATIONS FROM OIUGINAI, DRAWINGS.

BY W. W. WOOD.
\

4-

c AR'i: y V ljE a'
1830.

iA.

EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA, to wit:

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the thir-
; tieth day of August, in the fifty-fifth year of the
J independence of the United States of America,
A. D. 1830, Caret & Lea, of the said district,
have deposited in this office the Title of a Book,
the right whereof they claim as Proprietors, in the words fol-
lowing, to wit:

** Sketches of China, with Illustrations from Original Draw-
ings. By W. W. Wood."

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States,
entitled ** An act for the encouragement of learning, by se-
curing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors .
and proprietors of such copies during the times therein men-
tioned." — And also to the act, entitled, "An act supplemen-
tary to an act, entitled, * An act for the encouragement of
learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books,
to the authors 'aitdpraprietors pf such copies during the times
therein mentiontfd/jand Extending tJieTS^n^ts thereof to the
Arts of desigmng"^ emgr&viRg, ahd^etcHm^liistorical and other
prints." >'w ' ^ ... .

- :" -; - : ..* D.CALDWELL,
Ckfk hf the Eddim District of Pennsylvania.

8KSBBBTT HIITTH BTIIBBT,

raiLABBLFHIA.

CONTENTS.

The Islands - 13

Kow-Chow, OP Nine Islands If

Macao ---18

Cainoen's Cave 26

Temple at Macao 29

Inside Passage to Macao 31

Island of Lin-Tin 34

Lan-Keet, (Lung Yue) 39

Chuen-Pee »A.

The Bocoa Tigris 40

Second Bar 42

First Bar 43

Bamhoo Plantations 44

Whampoa - 46

Dane's Island ^ 49

French Island 51

The Pagoda and Hou.qua*s Fort - ' - - S3

Approach to Canton 54

The Follies - - - - 58

Rice Fields 60

Dockyards - - - 62

The Factories - . - 63

Walls of Canton 72

Junks 74

Canals and Canal Boats .77

Gardens at Fa-Tee - - - - . - . - 79

Suburb of Ho-nam --82

Hoe-Chong-sze, or Great Temple, at Ho-nam - - 85

The Execution Ground 92

Streets of a Chinese City 94

Police 9T

IV CONTENTS.

Page.

The Fine Arts 99

Architecture 101

Pagodas - - ■ 1^2

Houses - 104

Public Squares 107'

Barbers 108

Costume 109

Shaving the Head - - - - - - - 116

Taking a Petition into the City. 117

Literature — History — Fiction 119

The Art of Printing - - 122

Relations between the Ancient Egyptians and Chinese 126

Women - - - 1^^

ChUdren 138

Chinese Character 140

Ancient History and Traditions 142

Antiques - - - - 144

Astronomy, Navigation, &c. 149

Medical Science 152

Music - - - - -155

Gambling 157

Naval Force 158

Military 160

Chinese Arms - - * 162

Funeral Ceremonies 165

The Confucian Philosophy 168

TheKo-Tou 170

Secret Societies 173

IslandsofLoo-Choo, Formosa, &c. . - - - 174

Coolies, or Porters - 176

The Sect of Fuh, or Buddhists 178

TheSectofTaou 180

Superstitions .182

Criminal Court 186

Sacrifices - - 192

Money— Bullion— Rate of Interest - - - - 194

Snake-catchers - - - 196

CONTENTS. V

Chinese LAnguage 198

Rebellions— Civil Wars 202

The Dragon Boat Festival 203

The Opium Trade 206

Trade of China - - 211

Fisheries 218

The Hong Merchants 220

Population of China » - 223

Chinese Theatricals 224

Agriculture - 225

Administration of Justice 227

Banishment to Tartary ib.

Domestic Animals 228

Punishments 232

Food w 234

Nuptial Ceremonies 336

Sages of China 238

Long Nadls- 239

Curious Extracts from Chinese History - - - 240

Warfare of the Yuen-Tartars 241

Nfscromancy -------- 243

Natural History -------- 243

Celebration of the New Year 244

Ancient Custom 247

Appiksix 249

PREFACE.

Some reasonable excuse will in all probability
be expected for the perpetration of a work on
China, when we have already the ponderous vo-
lumes of Du Halde, De Guignes, Grosier, Staunton,
Barrow, and sevwal minor works by other au-
thors. In extenuation, it may be said that ia the
possession of these works we doubtless have all the
leading features of the country and its inhabitants
faithfully and impartially given, but in order to at-
tain this information, it is unfortunately necessary
to wade through such a mass of comparatively un-
interesting matter, and tediousness of detail, that
few choose to purchase their knowledge of China
at the price of so much patient research. To the
historian or the antiquary, these folios of Jesuitical
labours are invaluable, but to one who is anxious *
to be made acquainted with the prominent traits of
Chinese manners and customs, they are by no
means calculated to afford a speedy gratification.
The sketches which are contained in the present

VIU PREFACE.

volume are simply notes taken on the spot, and il-
lustrative of the ordinary scenes which are pre-
sented to the stranger at Canton, and in its envi-
rons. No pretensions to elegance of style or com-
position are made. The object is simply to pre-
sent, in a moderate compass, the result of a careful
observation of this extraordinary people, and to
place within reach of every one a work which may
convey correct, and I hope unprejudiced ideas of
China and its inhabitants.

Pew return from a visit to the " Celestial Em-
pire" without evincing considerable annoyance at
the multitude of questions, (many of them incon-
ceivably absurd,) with which they are aiHicted by
their acquaintances. Such persons will doubtless
feel grateful to a brother traveller who endeavours,
imperfectly it is true, to relieve them from the dis-
tressing inquiries of these curious catechists, which
they may in a measure avoid by referring them to
the "Sketches.'^

It must be remembered in perusing the works
of the Jesuit missionaries, that few of the notices
which they have given us relate to the southern
provinces of the empire, and consequently the tra-
veller must not be astonished at finding a difference
or modification at Canton of the details which re-

PRJBFACX. IX

late to Nanking or Peking. The general customs
of the Chinese are the same in every department
of the country, but in minor particulars the inha-
bitants of the provinces differ considerably from
each other. All this must be remembered in read-
ing works relative to China, and no author accused
of carelessness or inaccuracy whose accounts of
Canton do not correspond with those relating to
other, and distant portions of the country.

In the composition of the following pages, my
endeavour has been to explain and describe, as
clearly as possible, the peculiar habits and manners
of the Chinese of Kwang-tung, (Canton,) avoid-
ing to repeat the hearsay particulars relative to the
neighbouring provinces, none of which I visited.
If therefore I have not succeeded in making these
matters as intelligible as might be wished, the
fault must be attributed rather to an inexperienced
pen, than to a premeditated intention of mystify-
ing my readers. A residence of more than com-
mon leisure in China, enabled me to devote much
time to the collection of notes and memoranda,
which I now present to the curious nearly in their
original form, written at the moment of the occur-
rences which they describe. By arranging them
as detached notes, instead of a continuous narra-

X PREFACE.

ti\re, the work may be read in the most desultory
manner, and closed at the termination of an article
without affecting the thread of the recital. The
only arrangement which has been made, is in
placing the notes ?is nearly as possible in the same
order as that in which the objects are presented to
the notice of the traveller in the progress of his re-
searches.

The sphere of observation to which foreigners
are restricted, is, comparatively Speaking, very li-
mited, yet even within the range which is present-
ed to us, the most curious and remarkable customs
may be noticed.

Prejudiced originally in favour of the Chinese,
and very much influenced by the missionary tra-
vels, I was, as may be imagined, infinitely morti-
fied to find on my arrival, that instead of exceed-
ing the expectations which I had indulged, they
fell considerably below the standard which I had
formed of their moral ^nd physical character. Al-
though obliged to abandon my very favourable
ideas of this people, and to reduce my estimation
of their worth to a very lovy grade, yet I can by
no means agree with those who deny them the
possession of any good quality and declare them
gifted with such dispositions, and vicious propen-

L

PREFACS. XI

sities, as to degrade them below the ordinary de-
grees of evil intention which characterize the most
uncivilized nations.* I have endeavoured to be
impartial, how I have succeeded, my readers must
determine. Much of the romantic illusion with
regard to China is now dispelled; the accounts of
the early missionaries and travellers are found on
investigation to have been enormously exaggerated.
The Chinese, though an extraordinary people, do
not merit the extravagant praises which their laws,
morals, and general talent, have elicited. Those
who have derived their sole information on this
subject from the travels of the Jesuits, will regret
to have their good opinions destroyed by my rela-
tions; but in the present day, truth on all subjects
is eagerly pursued, and in relation to so important
a portion of the globe as China, will no doubt be
the more acceptable from the mystery which has
so long obscured it.

Of the trade I have given a slight sketch, not in-
tending to offer a guide to Chinese commerce, but
simply to explain in general terms the peculiar
customs which regulate mercantile transactions at

• Vide "Character of the Chinese," and consult « Morrison's
View of China.'*

XU PREFACE.

Canton. The descriptions are, I think, in every
instance the fruit of my own immediate observa-
tion, and therefore I am able to vouch for their
correctness. The illustrations are from original
sketches from my own pencil, and have nothing
but their fidelity to recommend them.

The limits which I have prescribed to the work,
compel me to give a selection^ only from my note-
books, and I am reluctantly obliged to omit many
very interesting, circumstances.

SKETCHES OF CHINA.

THE ISLANDS.

The mouth of the Ty-ho or Canton river, con*
stitutes a bay of considerable size, thickly studded
with rugged and barren islands. Omng to their
abruptness, the channels between them are very
deep, and the passages, generally speaking, free
from obstruction. At the time the river was infest-
ed with pirates, the island called by the natives
Ty-manrsharij and the adjoining smaller one, were
the rendezvous of these freebooters, and from
thence acquired the title of LadroneSy which name
if still given them; ,the larger island being laid
dawn in tlie charts as the Great LadronCy and the
smaller as the lAttle Ladrone. Beside these, are
many others varying in sisie, as Poo-toy y I-chotVy
Sani-chouxy the Lem-mas, Ldn-taOy &c. all well
known and accurately surveyed by Lieutenant Ross
of the Bombay Marine.

In a geological point of view these islands pre-
sent few features of interest The formation is gra-
nite, much decomposed on the surface, and inter-
sected by deep veins of quartz, affording some
2

14 THE ISJUASDS.

pretty crystals. None of the islands are forined by
accumulations of sand^ earUi, and vegetable matter,
as isrfrequently the case in the channels of rirers
flowing with great rapidity.

Lan-tao andjlqng'kongexhxhit the highest land,
the summit of which in dull weather is always
shrouded in clouds. The vegetation consists of
grass aqd shrubs, growing upon a barren soil; but
in the valleys, the industry of the husbandman has
overcome the difficulties presented by nature, and
patches of highly cultivated land frequently oc-
cur. Such green and smiling spots afford an agree-
able and striking contrast to the arid and. desolate
appearance of the hills. Wild animals are. scarce,
and of small species, although upon some of the
large islands, Lan-tao^ for instance, tiger cats are
occasionally seen. The monkeys are very shy,
and difficult to approach, and, even when the sports-
man has succeeded in wounding one of them, he is
seldom fortunate enough to overtake it before it has
concealed itself in .th& almost impenetrable under-
wood; where pursuit is both difficult and danger-
ous, from the nature of the ground, and the numer-
ous large snakes which inhabit it

The natives are in most cases moi:e civil and
obliging than their brethren up the river, and little
difficulty or risk is incurred in landing on the
islands, except from crews of the native man-of-war
boats; which are heartily detested by the people
for their cruelty and merciless extortions.

A ship approaching the islands is usually board-

THE ISLABIDS. 15

ed at some distance from the land by a eompra*
dor^s boat* These people craize outside con-
stantly, for the purpose of engaging Aemselyes^as
pilots to the anchorage at Lin-tin, (from whence
a boat is despatched to Macao, for the river pilot,)
and securing to ^eir employem the office of com-
prador or purveyor to the ship while lying at
Whampoa.- They are regularly licensed, and to
them solely belongs the right of supplying the ship's
provisions while in*harbour, and her stores for. the
voyage whenpreparing to depart The boats em-
ployed in this business are long, nakrow, and very
fast, usually two-masted, with large mat sails, and
manned with from ten to twenty men. -As a de*
fence against the ladrones or pirates^ which some-
times lurk: aniohg the nuhierous small islands at
the river's mouth, they are provided with pikes,
spears, and large stones, in the use of which they
are very skilful, throwing; with great accuracy. A
man from one of these boats is usually engaged to
pilot the ship up io Zzn-Zin, where it is customary
to anchor, and send an officer to Macao, to make
application for a pilot, which he is usually able to
return with in twenty-four hours, and frequentlj^in-
a shorter time. The Chinese pilots are vulgar and
illiterate men, who, from ^aversing the riVer in
every direction for many years, in the capacity of
fishermen, are eventually enabled by their earnings

• The P(»rtagae8e word, which signifies a purveyor of food,
R 18 used for the parreyor, or steward, of a house or ship.

16 • THE ISI/JlNDS.

to purchase a t;ommissioh for foreign ships enter-
ing the river. The regular pilot is accompanied by
one or two fishermen, whose stnall boats are an-
chored on the bars, to point out the proper pass^age
for the ship. The fee to the outside pilot is about
ten dollars, but they frequently take advantage of
the circumstances of danger in which a ^hip may-be
placed, to extort a. much larger sum for -their ser-
vices. The distance from the outside islands where,
they are taken on board varies ftcim twenty-five to
forty miles. The fees to the- government pilots are
established by law, at sixty dollars^ two-thirds of
which becomes the prey of various mandarins at
Mucao^ Chuen-pee^ the Bocca TH^griSj and fFhatn- ,
poa. In addition to this they depend on the cap*
tain for a douceur of saU beef, biscuit, and whis-
key, which is great or small in propoiption to their
skill and good condgct.

The anxiety manifested by the outside pilot boats
. to board a Vessel coming in, has frequently been an
unfounded cause of alarm to comiinanders who ar*
rive in China for the first time, while, on the other
hand, a want of proper caution in permitting boats
to approach, has betrayed vessels into the hands of
pirates, as in the unfortunate case of the ship Wa-
bash, and several others, at various periods, when
the ladrones infested the:neighbourhood of Macao.
The comprador boats cruizing in company, the
men exert every nerve to outstrip each other when
a sail is discovered, and many^ ridiculous scenes
have taken place from their haste and anxiety to be

TH£ ISI.ARDS.

17

the first OD board. Aft incident occurred in one of
the Company's ships which is very illustrative.
Two boats^ much swifter than the rest were coming
up rapidly to the ship then standing in under easy
sail; the headmwt boat dropped the other sufiScient-
ly to run alongside before her, and the captain
ruAed.up the side confident of success^ when to his
confusion and dismay he saw his adversary just
making his bow on the quarter-deck, he having run
under the st^rn and thrown himself into one of the
ports, ran up the hatch, while the other came in
at the gangway, and thus obtained the preference,
which is given to the first who gets on board.

The many small bays and coves atnong the
islands give shelter to these boats in storm}^
weather, where they remain perfectly secure, ex-
cept in the dangerous hurricanes which sometimes
occur. ^Tfae approach of these gales is preceded by
changes in the atmosphere, &c. with which the
sailors are conversant, and on-observing them they
usually run for Macao.

KoW'ChoWy or Nine Islands j

A group of smal], barren, rocky islets, lying on
the west shore, a few miles above Macao. They
are the retreat of fishing boats, which find abundant
occupation in their vicinity. The geological fea-
tures are similar to those of the other islands in the
neighbourhood,

2*

18 MACAO.

MACAO.

The approach to Macao from the sea is very
beautiful/ The town is situated on a peninsula run-
ning about N. by W. and S. by E. and the front
of the town, which is httilt oti the shore of the
outer harbour, looks out feast towards the islands
and the China Sea. The walk, or esplanade, is
called by the Portuguese the Pray a Orcmde.
The town extends across the peninsula, and the
*■ back or western side runs along the shore of a
branch of the river which forms what is called
the inner harbour, where the Portuguese and other
ships trading to Macao are moored. The shallow-
ness of the outer harbour, and the want of protec-
tion from the strong gales which sweep it from the
eastward, compel ships to shelter themselves in the
channel between two islalnds to the S. E. called
the Typuy where the water is deep, and the an-
chorage good. Heavy vessels are obliged to dis-
charge a portion of their cargoes here previous to
going in, in consequence of the want of water at
the entrance of the inner harbour. Aided by the
neighbouring scenery, Macao has a very pleasing
appearance, as it is approached from the eastward,
and in fine weather the view bf the town and neigh-
bouring islands is extremely beautiful. A nearer .
inspection, however, is sufficient to dissipate much
of the favourable opinion which a distant view may

MACAOt 19

create, but in spite of many faults and disadvah-
tages; it is, for a place of so m^ngr^l a deseription,
less oSensiye than the filthy habits of the CMnese
and carelessness of the Forluguese inhabiiantSy
would lead one to imagine.

That part of the peninsula on which tbe town is
situated, is not more than half a mile in length, and
less than a quarter brpad, but the limit preseribed
to the Portuguese territory is fhe barrier or Wall
which runs across the isthmus at about two and a
half miles distance from tbe opposite end of the
peninsula. A few Chinese soldiers, and an officer,
are stationed here, for the purpose of guarding the
boundary, and preventing any one of either nation
passing it. They are very careless, and it is not
difficult to bribe them^ or land below the barrier if
curiosity leads one to examine it This barrier was
constructed in. the reign of the Emperor Wan-kiA,
A. D. 1573. When the grant of land upon whi<ih
the town of Macao is built, was first made to the
Portuguese, the heaviest penalties were threatened
to any one who passed this line. The law extend*-
ed both to the foreigners and natives, none i>f which
latter were permitted to remain in the town filter
the closing of the gates at night. By degrees, how-
ever, this discipline relaxed, and at the present day
the number of native lnhabitatnt? considerably ex-
ceeds the Portuguese in the town «f Macao, and
some little villages very thickly populated have
even been built upon the beach within the walls»

20 MACAO.

The long-continued and scarce-resisted insultii and
exactions of the Chinese^ have at length reduced
the Portuguese power here to a mere name, and so
long a period has elapsed since these oppressive
measures hslve been patiently; endured, that it would
now be almost impossible for them to resume the
privileges and immunities which their imperial
grant originally entitled them to.

The government of Macao is vested in a senate
or council, a governor, and minor officers. The
principal negociations with the Chinese are con-
ducted through the ProcurcfdoTy to whom applica-
tion is always made, for permission to proceed
to Canton in a licensed Chinelse boat The license
is obtained from the proper Chinese officer, by him,
and transmitted to the parties desirous of going,
' they haying previously made application either
personally or by letter. A regulation exists in re-
lation to arrivals, which is but little attended to;
every foreigner landing in Macao with an inten-
tion of remaining, is ordered by law, to report him-
self to the governor, and state the time, &c. of his
arrival. Owing to this^ when a report has not been
made, it is necessary in making the application,
to assume the name of some other person who has
reported himself on his arrival, but who has gone
off iitegularly, that is in a lAiip, or in a smuggler's
boat, by the outside passage. No questions are
atked^ and of course no difficulty experienced, as
I have always succeeded without the least trou-

MAOAO. 21

ble,* by representing n^yself to be Mr. -,

whose name was still on the register, although he
probably was not in th^' country at all, having de-
parted without reporting himself to the authorities.

The garrison of Macao, which is composed of a
number of natives of Goa^ Macao^Portuguese, &c.
consists of about four hundred n»en, exclusive of
officers. The troops are, when #n parade, tdera-
bly well-looking, but their armsi ami accoutrements
are in indifferent order, and neitherihe men rior the
arms at all cal<!ulated for active Service. Several
forts at Macao are furnistied with the heaviest ar-
tillery, and in the St. Ffa:nciSj on the left arm of
the bay are some old brass guns of uficom^mon.
length and weight, but which are nearly useless,
from the bald quality of the' powder, which is made
at Goa, and the ignorance of the gunnera. During
the period of the Ladrone war, when the Chinese
pirates were so formidable, the junks of these
marauderst would pass within half ^n-shot of thci
forts with impunity, the balk from the guns al-
ways falling short.

The principal fort, which commands nearly th6'
whole town and approaches, is that of our Lady of
the Mount, generally known, as "Me Montis ^
mounting upWards of forty guns^ of large caliber,
^nd from its situation -very strong. The Ofcr,

• In one instance pnty, was my application for a Chop or
license, returned, and the serv^aht stated ^eireason ^as, that
it was sealed with a wafer instead of waxl This impottftiit
xnatter was instantly adjusted.

22 MACAO.

the ^^ Bishop's Forty'' ''St. Frands," the Watet
Battery zt the guard-house in froi>tx)f the town,
and a Semicircular Battery defending the entraace
of the inner harbour,, complete the defences of
Macao, and would render it in proper hands a post
of the greatest strength. .

The shallowneas of the bay preyentsthe near ap-
proach of heavy tassels in front of the town, and .
the natural advantages of the positions which com*-
mand the entrtmce of the inner harbour, would
make an attempt to land a perilous undertaking, if
the defence were scientifically conducted.

The college of St. Joseph is the only public ii>-
8.titution for the cultivation of learning, and at pre-,
/sent, enumefates a respectable number of students,
who are distinguished by a peculiar dress, consist-
ing of a long black frock, square cap, and narrow
white muslin baud or collar round the neck. The
professorships are all filled by clergymen, with
the exception of the sinecure office, of English in-
structor. I was informed that the library, though
considerable, consisted chiefly of old theological
works of little value, and that^the manuscripts pre-
served there, were of no interest, but I now regret
that I did not apply for permission to examine
them, as my labours might have been rewarded by
' the discovery of something valuable, in relation to
the early history of Macao.*

• The late discbveiies of Mr. Washington Irving, in the old
Spanish libraries, increase the regret at my own carelessness
and indifference to so interesting a subject.

MAOAO. 23

Churches are very numerous in Mafcao^ aad one
of them is of great antiquity, its name howeyer I
have unfortunately forgotten. In addition to the
regular churches, there are chapels in all the forts,
and nunneries, so that the good people of Macao,
have no lack of religious fhstructiqn, and so fre-
quent are their religious feasts and fasts, that it is
jokingly said the school boys have two hundred
and twenty-five holidays during the year! Bigo-
try and intolerance, are assiduously cultivated and
cherished by the inhabitants, who ai*e, with a few
exceptions, priest-ridden, and ignoraq| to the last
degree.

Various estimates of the population have been
made, the most accurate of which is that which
gives the number of Portuguese* at about thre^
thousand, and Chinese four thousand, which does
not include ,tha villages near the town, but merely
the persons .who dwell within the walls.

The houses of the Portuguese are mostly very
spacious, but dreary and uncomfortable, from the
scanty furniture and want of carpets, which are
not used except in the houses of the richest citizens.
In place of carpets or mats, the floors are covered
with several coats of smooth paint, varied in imita-
tion of niarble. Fires are not used in the winter,
although maoy days, occur during the season, in

* Portuguese, Cafire slayes, and half ca8t% of which latter
the proportion is very large.

24 MACAO.

which a- warm room is very desirable, and even
necessary, to those who are suffering from indispo-
fiition.. Stoves or grates are always placed in the
houses occupied by Americans, English, &c. but
either the poverty or avarice of the inhabitants
induces them to dispense with thi? comfort. More
care is taken in constructing the buildings of Macao,
than those of Canton; the materials are generally
better chosen,, and the work performed with greater
neatness. Some of the private residences are hand-
some houses, such as the Caaa, sls it is called, in
the garden where the cave of Camoehs is situated,
and some others. .

The market of Macao is tolerably supplied with
provisions; the iish are exceedingly plentiful, and ,
in great variety. Among them arb several species
oi grouper y sole^ and many delicious kinds peculiar
to the river and the China Sea. The price is very
low, and necessarily so, from the inconceivable
quantities which are daily captured by the fleets of
fishing boats. Upon the Praya Grande, is a native
custom-house, where all the fish are landed previ-
ously to their being sold, and the government duty
laid on them by the Chinese oi&cers stationed there
for the purpose. In favourable weather the bay is
crowded with fishing boats, and the sc^ne at this
little custom-house is the mq^t noisy and bustling
imaginable, as every one i^ anxious to have his fish
weighed as soon as possible, in order to avail him-
self of the first oppcM'tunities of the market. As

MACAO. ^5

soon as the weight of each boat-load is noted^ it is
immediately sold in portions to the small dealers,
who are waiting in crowds at the landing, and by
them carried off in large round baskets, suspended
from the ends of a pole or bamboo, across the shoul-
der, to supply the inhabitants.

Foreign merchandise imported in European ves-
sels is dutiable at the Portuguese custom-house,
which feces the inner harbour, and is really one of
the most respectable buildings in the town. The
extent to which smuggling is carried of late years,
has made considerable inroads into the revenue of
this establishment.

On coming within sight of the numerous small .
boats or san^-pans which lie moored in front of the
town, a race commences among the amphibious
damsels who navigate them, for the honour and
profit of conveying one ashore, as the water is too
shallow at low water to admit a near approach of
large boats. These sam-pan^, as they are called,*
are short, broad boats, very flat, drawing but a
few inches water, and manned by a brace of Chi-
nese ladies! who are quite dexterous in managing
them. In addition ta a fee of a dollar to these sun-
burnt viragos, for rowing you perhaps twenty yards,
a further extortion of a dollar, as a landing fee, is
suffered from the mandarins; besides ujiconscion-

• Sam-pan, Chinese for three planks — ^aterin used to denote
the simple constpuction of these boats, which were built orig^-
nally of three boards, one fbr the bottom and two serving for
sides.

3

26 ' MACAO.

able demands for baggage. To experience these
enormities it is necessary to land from a native boat^
as in coming on shore in one belonging to a ship>
no attempt is madie to exact this plunder. No cair-
riages of any kind^ ex<:ept palanquins, are, used
here, and horses only by a few of the foreign i:esi-
dents. To this and the indefatigable labours of the
Chinese scavengers, who collect the filth for ma-
nure, the cleanliness of the streets may be attributed.

Camoens* Cave.^

This celebrated little spot is situated in the large
garden grounds of the house called the Ccmiy at the
northern extremity of the town, and forms one of
the interesting sights of Macao, from the historical
recollections connected with it, and the intrinsic
beauty of the locality. Travellers in their narratives
have described this as a caye, but in reality it is
simply a narrow passage between two masses of
rock, covered at the top by a deep layer of soil,
surmounted by a pretty suninier-house of modern
date, and encircled by a thick growth of trees, A
modern Vandal has caused a place to be cut in the
rock for a seat, on the spot where the exiled poet is
said to have reposed, and added a most dazzling

* A beautiful sketch of Camoens' Cave is now exhibiting at
the Academy of Fine Arts. This delightful little picture is
from the pencil of George Chinnery, Esq. of Canton, whose
exquisite taste in landscape sketches is unrivalled. The picture
was painted in 1828, for N. Dunn, Esq. by whom it has been
kindly loaned to the' Academy,

MACAO. 27

coat of whitewash to the tablet and bust which is
placed against one side of the interior! From the
summer-house the view is very beautiful, and em-
braces a large portion of the most striking points of
scenery in the neighbourhood. A walk which leads
to the highest part of the grounds overhangs the
inner harbour, and the view from thence extends
further up the river. The house has been lately
rented to an English gentleman, with a proviso,
that no proper application to visit the cave and
grounds should be refused. No di£Sculty is expe-
rienced when peHnission is requested in proper
form, and those who have been disappointed, will
thank their pwn carelessness for the mortification.*
Much good taste is exhibited in the disposition of
the grounds, and in laying out the walks, which
were arranged in the English style by a former oc-
cupant Large snakes, and some of them very ve-
nomous, are said to- have been repeatedly killed
in the garden; but no mischief has happened in
consequence of their being there, except the de-
struction of the poultry. In various other parts of
Macao they abound, and I have my sielf taken some
very dangerous serpents near my own residence*

The wall by which the town is surrounded, is com-
posed of ston e, covered with a thick coat of coarse mor-
tar, furnished with a parapet, and hating square bas-
tions at intervals. Tradition relates that the northern

• The proprietor was one of the Pereira family, and thete-
nant, at the tune pf my last visit, Mr^Fearon, one of the firm
of^nbery Fearon ^ Co. watohmakera, ^, of Canton.

28 MACAO.

portion, which runs over the steepest hills, was built
by the Dutch prisoners taken by the Portuguese^
when they landed and endeavoured to take the
town, in which villainous intention the good peo-
ple of Macao report they were miraculously pre-
vented by the good offices of Saint Anthony, the
patron saint, who very condescendingly came down
from heaven, and put the presumptuous Hollanders
to flight ! In commemoration of this miraculous in-
terference, a stone cross was erected on the spot,
and the saint unanimously elected Colonel of the
Macao regiment, the pay and rations being receiv-
ed by his faithful stewards, thepriests of the Cha-
pel of St. Anthony. This anecdote will give some
idea of the state of ignorance and superstition in
which most of the inhabitants are plunged.

The greatest exertions are made by the Catholic
clergy to convert the Chinese, and a few nominal
Christians are to be found among them, but the in-
dulgences of their own religion, or rather the want
of any religion at all, prevent their submitting to
the comparatively austere precepts of Christianity.
Added to this, the prejudices of the government,
which discountenances such foreign innovation, ren-?
der it dangerous for a native 16 be known as a
Christian, and if successfully detected, it almost al-
ways entails -a punishment for what is called a
mask, concealing political machinations with dis-
contented foreign barbarians! At Malacca and Sin-
gapore, the Protestant and Presbyterian missions
appear to have succeeded somewhat better, but s^till

MACAO. 29

the number of converts in proportion to the un-
ceasing labours of these clergymen, is small indeed.
The indulgences of the Romish church are more
agreeable* to Chinese taste, as the rigid observ-
ances which are enjoined ' by other sects, are not
likely to be favourably received among a people
with such unconmionly violent prejudices, to over-
come which it appears almost necessary to change
their^very natures.

Temple at Madao.

There is at Macao a temple which faces the in-
ner harbour, which, in addition to its very pic-
turesque situation, possesses an interest as the ob-
ject of a singular si:iperstition. It consists of several
edifices of various dimensions, built on points of
the very abrupt and elevated rock, surrounded by
trees, which conceal them in a great measure from
sight. The naked roots cover the rock in many
places, penetrating the crevices to seek nourishment
from the small accumulations of soil which they
contain. Stairs cut in the rock lead in various di-
rections, winding round the large masses, to termi-
nate at the entrance of these shrines. Large in-
scriptions are deeply cut in the rocks, and filled
with vermilion. The superstition t^hich has ren-
dered this temple celebrated is as follows:—- ^A
fleet of boats being about to sailfrom Fah KSerif*

• The next province to the eastward of Canton, CKwang"
iimg,J called ia the Canton dialect Fo-SSiBfU
3*

30 MACAO.

a lady appeared in one of them, and advised the
fishermen to defer. their sailing, for that in spite of
the favourable appearance of the weather, a stoma
was certainly approaching. Regardless of the warn-
ing, all the boats composing the fleet sailed, with
the exception of a single one — all, save this one
were lost, and every one on board perished. The
boat on board of which this lady made her appear-
ance sailed when the tempest had subsided, and
with her safely reached Macao, where, on landing,
she immediately disappeared.'^ This temple is built
on the spot where the lady vanished, and is called
** neang-ma ko^^ ** a temple of the queen of
heaven.'* She is esteemed the protectress of ma-
riners, who invoke her in distress, crying, a maJ
oh! mother. At the landing place are constantly
to be seen fragments of vessels, anchors, spars, &c.
which have been left there in grateful recollection
by sailors who have escaped danger by her sup-
posed assistance.

On returning from sea, it is customary for sailors
to repair to this temple, return thanks, and make
an offering of odoriferous matches, gilt paper, &c.
which is burnt before one of the altars. The whole
neighbourhood is inhabited by the lowest classes
of the Macao-Chinese, whose collections of houses
are the most dirty and offensive that can be ima-
gined. The houses being very small, and the in-
habitants in most cases very numerous, the army
of fowls, pigs, and children, which appertains to
each is little conducive to cleanliness or quiet

INSIDE PASSAGE TO MACAO. 31

INSIDE PASSAGE TO MACAO.

Going to Macdo from Canton on the route used
by the ships is prohibited, and no one ^oes by it
except in a shipj private sail-boat, or native boats,
used expressly for this unlawful mode of travelling.
The price demanded for -taking a foreigner from
Whampoa to Macao, or from Macao to Whampoa,
varies from twenty to forty dollars. The inner
passage, as it is called, is the one appointed for
boats which carry ^Dreigners down to Macao by a
passport or travelling license. In order to go in
this manner, application is made through a linguist
two days previous to the time of departure, to the
department from whence the passports are obtained.
A single boat is hired for about forty dollars, which
includes every expense, and gives a privilege to as
many as can be conveniently accommodated of go-
ing in it, thus making the expense light when dis-
tributed among several. A commodious cabin, with
a raised platform around it, covered with mats to
sit and sleep upon, a centre table, and other con-
veniences, render these boats very agreeable to tra-
vel in, the servants, cook, and boatmen living on
deck, and not at all interfering with the pas-
sengers. In the narrow passages, and in adverse
winds, or calms, the boats are tracked by the crew,
who run along the shore, harnessed to a line which
is attached to the mast head, while the course is

S2 INSIDE PASSAGE TO MACAO.

governed i)y the helmsman, with a broad and power-
ful rudder. To a stranger this mode of travelling is
novel and interesting; the shores abound with ob-
jects of curiosity or in beautiful scenery, and it is
only as he approaches the sea, that the country be-
gins to assume a less inviting appegirance, the hills
being generally very high, and either barren or co-
vered with pines. The boat is detained at th^e town
of Hong'Shan for the indorsement of the passport
and inspection of the boat by the aflScers. This
town derives its chief importance from being the
place of rendezvous for the numerous boats em-
ployed in the fisheries at the mouth of the river.
The repairs and fittings out are conducted here,
and employment thus given to a considerable po-
pulation. During the period when the ladrones or
pirates were most formidable, they committed many
acts of violence near this place, and as a protection
against them, a number of piles were driven across
the channel, for the purpose of preventing the pas-
sage of their vessels. A small portion of the chan-
nel was left open, but guarded by an iron chain.
The remains of this defence still remain, although
in a ruinous condition, the cause of alarm not hav-
ing recurred for many years. There is a regulation
here that if a boat having foreigners on board ar-
rives after sunset, it must remain at anchor until the
next morning, as no officer will come off to exa-
mine it after dusk. It is also required of the Euro-
pean passengers to sign their names on the passport,
but ridiculous or fictitious names are generally sub-

INSIDE PASSAGE TO MACAO. 33

stituted, as the Chinese officers are quite ignorant
of any language but their own, and depart with the
autograph of Julius Caesar, or Napoleon, to say no-
thing of others more absurd, quite unconscious of
the joke which is practised on them. Sometimes
just before reaching Macao, in a part of the chan-
nel called the Broadway, a war junk is found at
anchor, and the captain of the boat is obh'ged to
board, in order to show his permission to proceed.
No further stoppage occurs during the passage*
The distance is difficult to estimate correctly, owing
to the very numerous bends in the river, but it can-
not be much less than an hundred and twenty miles.
Many pagodas are observed on the hills, differing
from those on the outside channel in having but
seven stories, while those at Whampoa, Second
bar, &c. all have nine. Much less insolence and
abuse is experienced from the country people than
in the neighbourhood of Canton, and it is probable
that many civilities would be freely offered, were
At not for the fear the people entertain of the na-
tive magistrates, who seize upon any demonstra-
tions of kindness to the " foreign devils,^^ as good
grounds to accuse them of disaffection and treason-
able intentions!

Plantations of mulberry trees occur frequently
along the banks. The trees are kept cut down to a
pretty uniform height of ten or twelve feet, and
the leaves are principally produced by the suckers
which spring up around the stem or main trunk
which is cut off. Great quantities of the leaves are

34 ISLAND OP LIN-TiN.

consumed by the silk worms, the plantations of
mulberry being cultivated for this purpose alone.
Large fields of rice are the principal feature ia
agriculture, though small plantations of difierent
trees and vegetables occur in the peighbourhood of
the villages which are situated along the shores of
the river. In some places the rice fields are of ex-
traordinary extent, intersected in every direction
by canals, in which the small boats of the labourers
are continually plying. Upon this route there are
some very picturesque views, and portions of beau-
tiful scenery, which it would be delightful to sketch,
did not the rapidity of travelling prevent it by con-
tinually changing the view.

ISLAND OF LIN-TIN.

This pkce derives its celebrity entirely from the
circumstance of being the station of the opium
fleet, and the temporary anchorage for ships while
waiting for their pilots. The island is extremely
barren, and consists chiefly of masses of granite,
which form a mountain of considerable altitude.
The village is situated in a valley on the N. W.
side of the island, and consists of a few houses in-
habited principally by fiihermen and small farmers.
Lin-tin peak is visible at the distance of forty miles
in fine weather, being probably seven hundred feet
high. Being rather difficult of access, it is only

ISLAND OP LIN-TIN. 35

now and then ascended. Myself and two other
gentlemen reached the summit in May, 1827, after
considerable scrambling and scratching, and found
the apex of the peak to consist of an immense mass
of granite, on which were several species of curious
insects, plants, &c. We encountered in our pro-
gress, several buffaloes, and many goats, but they
did not interfere with us. The monkeys we ob-
served, were not numerous, but very large, ac-
tive, and shy, being very difficult to approach
within gun-shot. The view from the peak is really
magnificent, embracing the islands on the coast,
the neighbouring highlands of Lan-taOy and the
shores of the river above Lin-tin. From this
elevation, the rocks and shoal water in various
places were very distinctly visible. Shrubs of va-
rious kinds, and pine trees cover the sides of the
island wherever there is soil enough to nourish
them, and many curious ferns are to be found in
the rocky parts of the ascent

Owing to the frequent intercourse between the
people belong^ing to the ships and the Chinese vil-
lagers, they are very civil, and seldom interfere
with foreigners who go on shore to walk, bathe, or
shoot. Occasionally there has been a difficulty with
drunken sailors, and once or twice the matter be-
came serious. Latterly no such scenes have taken
place, and it is perfectly safe and agreeable walking
in every part of the island. On the north-east end
of Lin-tin there is a fleet of Chinese junks anchored
for the ostensible purpose of putting a stop to the

36 ISSLAND OP LIN-TIN.

illicit trade in opium, but they lie there quite pas-
sive spectators of the hourly deliveries of opium
from the ships, and the only effort made against
the trade is an occasional chase of the Chinese
smugglers. Periodical reports of their having de-
stroyed and routed the " foreign barbarians,'^ are
sent regularly up to the authorities of Canton by
the commanders of these vessels, and they fre-
quently get under way and sail by the fleet with
colours and streamers flying, gongs beating, and a
vast deal of ridiculous parade, and after a few
equally vain manoeuvres return to their moorings,
and despatch a most bombastic letter to Canton,
announcing the annihilation of the '^^ foreign
theives,'' who come to poison the subjects of his
celestial majesty with this filthy drug. The anchor-
age in very heavy weather is not esteemed se-
cure; and when strong gales commence, the ves-
sels run into a passage to the eastward, called the
Cap'Sing-mooTif where they are perfectly shelter-
ed. When in need of careening, this place is fre-
quently selected, as the situation is well calculated
for it — water and other conveniences being close at
hand. In the vicinity of Lin-tin are many large
piles or pieces of heavy timber driven into the mud
for supporting the nets, which are of great weight
and very long. Against these fishing stakes ves-
sels have sometimes struck when running up in the
dark, and received considerable injury. Caution
and a good look out are indispensable at night, as
the stakes are numerous, and the situation shifted

ISLAND OP UN-TIN. 37

from time to time. Having no machines to drive
these piles with, the method resorted to by the
fishermen is curious. After having driven the piece
of timber as deeply as possible into the mud, by
striking it on the top with large logs of heavy
woodj, furnished with handles to lift them by; at
the top of high water two heavy fishing boats are
lashed against the stake by the bows, and secured;
the tide then falls, and the weight of the boats thus
fastened to the head of the stake, drives it suiBfi-
ciently deep in the bed of the river in two or three
tides. There is also a small net, a kind of scoop,
used at Lin-tin — ^^a net of about eighteen feet square
is suspended by the corners to four lon^ poles,
which are so struck into the bottom of the river as
to have considerable motion. A windlass on shore,
with ropes fastened to these poles, raises the net
after it has remained a sufficiently long time below
the surface, when a man goes out in a small boat,
and takes the fish out by a hand-net on the end of
a long bamboo* The fish caught in this manner are
generally small, and of comparatively little value,
but the extreme poverty of the persons engaged in
the fishery induces them to try every expedient to
gain a living. Large quantities of these small fish,
and of several kinds of shrimps, and other crusta-
ceous animals, are prepared for market by drying
them on mats exposed to the sun; the smell of them
is disgusting in the extreme, but in spite of this
they are eaten with considerable relish by the na-
tives. Vegetables are cultivated on the spots of fer-
4

38 ISIAND OF LIN-TXW.

tile land^ and some fruits. An attempt has been
made to introduce the cocoa-nut tree, but the re-
quisite number of years has not yet elapsed to de-
termine its success. Several young cocoa-nut trees
were in a thriving condition on the side of Lin-tin
opposite to the anchorage in 1827, and 1828. They
were then six or seven feet in height, and being
planted in a sheltered situation, will in all proba-
bility succeed.

Abundance of good water is obtained on shore,
from several fine springs, by which the fleet at the
anchorage is constantly supplied.

A regulation of the Honourable East India Com-
pany, will exhibit their shuffling policy in a light,
which shows too plainly the duplicity and equivo-
cation for which it has been so famous. Notwith-
standing, that the greater part of the opium cultivated
in India, passes through the hands of this mono-
poly, and most of it is sold at public sale, and under
its immediate inspection and sanction ; yet, in order
to shift the blame of encouraging the manufac-
ture of this destructive poison from themselves to
the regular opium merchants, they forbid it to be
carried in their ships to Lin-tin, and also prohibit
the ships touching at Lin-tiii, or holding any com-
munication with the fleet of opium vessels ly-
ing there.*

• Vide Government order in Canton Hegister.

€HUEN-PEB. 39

LAN-KEET, (Lung Yue.)

So called from a peculiar rock, in which there is
a large perforation, fancifully entitled, " the Dra-
gon's eye-'' This is at the entrance of the river,
below the Bocca Tigris, on the left hand side in
going up. A large flat, partially dry, at low water,
runs out from it, bearing the name of Lan-Keet
fiat. On shore the rocks are covered with in-
scriptions, left there by Europeans who have
yisited the place.

CHUEN-PEE,

Is situated on the opposite shore, a few miles
below the Bocca Tigris. Foreign ships of war
anchor herej the Chinese forbidding their further
. progress up the river. Little regard is paid to the
insolence of the natives, and, as in case of the Al-
ceste, it will always be better to take a determined
stand, if a cessation of their overbearing conduct is
expected. The shore of the river begins here to
gissume a pretty appearance, and exhibits the pecu-
Uar characters of Chinese scenery.

40 THE BOCCA TIGRIS.

THE BOCCA TIGRIS.

The passage through the narrow part of the main
channel above Chuen-pee, is called by the Chinese
Hoo-muTiy by the Portuguese Bocca Tigre or
Bocca J^griSy^'ihQ tiger's mouth." The position
in a military point of view is excellent, and by
proper fortifications, could be rendered impassable.
The river is commanded by high hills, on the
summits of which, works of great strength might
be erected, but the natives with their usual obsti-
nancy, have placed the batteries close to the water's
edge, and on the side of the hill! leaving it exposed
to every shot at point blank, and allowing no re-
treat for the garrison, except up an abrupt hill,
where all the shot, which miss the works must ne-
cessarily strike. In consequence of this most un-
skilful arrangement, and the imperfect knowledge
of gunnery possessed by the natives, the passage
might be forced by a single sloop of war, with
comparatively little risk. The action between H.
B. M, Frigate Alceste, and the batteries on shore,
was a mere farce, as it was impossible to keep the
Chinese at their guns, officers and men being in a
dreadful state of consternation and dismay. This
will prove the fallacy of the argument, that an in-
vasion of China would be a rash and inevitably
fatal enterprize, as the natives make up in numbers
what they want in individual courage. But it

THE BOCCA TIGRIS. 41

would be found, that these very numbers would
prove the surest means of their destruction. A
panic once struck, the multitudes would retreat
upon each other, and the masses of men would be
mutually destructive; as I feel confident, and am
convinced that every unprejudiced traveller to
China will agree with me, that, it would be entirely
vain to persuade the native soldiers to stand a
second charge, from American or European troops,
well officered, and disciplined.

The first fort is on the small island called Wang^
t^mgf where the pilot lands to deliver the permit
or chop, for the passage of the ship; the other two
large batteries are the Ananhoy^ or •Anungfwy^
celebrated for the Alceste afiair; and the Tiger
Island fort, on the left hand side of the channel,
situated at the base of a hill, which is an immense
mass of granite covered with short grass, &c. This
hill is perhaps three hundred feet in height, and
the summit is unexceptionable as a post, provided
water can be obtained. Its eligibility does not ap-'
pear to strike the Chinese, who conceive any im-
provement of the defences impossible, and pre-
sumptuous. The guns of the Ananhoy fort are
apparently twelve pounders, and thirty or forty in
number. The port lids are painted with hideous
representations of tigers heads, intended to strike
terror to the enemy. The material used in build-
ing is granite. The forts consist of a very high
wall or breast-work, pierced with ports, which hav-
ing little or np flare, or obliquity within, admit of
4*

42 SECOND BAR.

dmall laical motion to the guns. Behind this
work are placed the Commandant's house, flag-staff^
and barracks, all very much exposed to shot from
a high vessel, and completely commanded by guns
in the tops. A fleet of war junks generally lies
below the forts, and numbers of small cruizers are
constantly passing through the various channels be-
hind the islands, for the purpose of boarding Chi-
nese vessels, and preventing contraband trade.

Second Bar.

The first bar which is crossed in coming up the
river, is called Second Bar, as it is the second
from Canton. At this place the heavy ships com-
plete their ladings, as there is not water enough to
permit a ship of twelve or fourteen hundred tons
to pass when full loaded. The station for the ships
is a short distance below the bar, generally nearest
the west shore. The village of Ho-tun, the near-
est of any consequence, lies on the other side,
higher up. The land on the west shore is high,
and very abrupt, covered with trees and shrubs.
The summit of the hill is crowned with a large
pagoda of nine stories, and the remains of an an-
cient fortification. The land is the property of
one of the hong merchants, and foreigners are al-
lowed to go on shore to shoot or walk, without
molestation. The view from the summit of the
hill is very fine, extending a long way up and
down the river. The hill itself is several hundred
feet above the water, and the pagoda is visible in

FIRST CAR. 43

particular directions^ sixteen or seventeen mileck
The river is here of considerable width, and during
the winter months, is the resort of innumerable
wild fowl, which are taken in vast quantities, by
fowlers, in nets, and decoys. Ducks are most abun-
dant; wild geese are not uncommon, and divers,
coots, and other aquatic birds, are found feeding on
the duck weed, in plenty, during the cold weather.
The birds after being caught, are enclosed in co-
vered cages, and carried to Canton, and the neigh-
bouring towns, where they are fattened by poul-
terers, who feed them constantly, in dark rooms.
They become very fat, and free from any fishy or
sedgey taste.

The flat shores of the river here are almost en-
tirely devoted to the culture of rice, which is pro-
duced in immense quantities.

First Bar.

By a singular perversion, this obstruction of the
channel is Called the first, instead of the second
bar, for such in fact it is, being the second which
is crossed by vessels in coming up the river. The
bar consists of rocks and sand, the channel being
toward the right shore. Small fishing boats are
hired by the pilots to mark the stations, and guide
them in steering the ship. When the. reach of
Whampoa is crowded with ships, the fleet extends
down to within a short distance of the first bar, and
the scene is remarkably cheerful and active; in the
summer, on the contrary, the appearance of the

44 BAMBOO PLANTATIONS.

river with five or six vessels lying at a distance
from each other is indescribably dreary.*

In the neighbourhood of this place lies the wreck
of the "Royal George," one of the East India
Company's ships burnt at Whampoa some years
since. Portions of the wreck are still visible at
very low tides. There is a chop house, or excise
office here, on the north bank, and numerous men*
of-war boats are constantly cruizing about the river
in pursuit af plunder.

Bamboo Plantations.

Patches of this useful plant may be observed
along the shores of the river in many places, and
sometimes considerable tracts of land entirely de-
voted to its cultivation. The greatest quantities of
bamboo come from the neighbouring provinces,
particularly from Che-keangy floated down the
rivers in enormous rafts, which are managed with
the greatest skill by the persons who dwell upon
them, accidents seldom occurring in their progress
through the narrow and crowded parts of the river.
Bamboos are found twelve inches in diameter at
thd base, and in some cases larger^ they taper gra-
dually to their extremities, and are seldom perfect-
ly strait; this however is remedied by the applica^

• There is a reg^ation which prohibits junks, op other Chi-
nese vessels, from anchoring^ among the forei^ shipping, ex-
cept in a calm, or with an adverse tide, and at such time all
communication is avoided from fear of the mandarins.

BAMBOO PLANTATIONS. 45

tion of fire to the joints, which renders them flexi-
ble. All bamboo poles used in the boats are ob-
served to be charred at the knots or joints, by
which process they are made quite straight without
impairing their strength or durability. Numberless
uses are made of the bamboo in worts requiring
the greatest strength, and in the simplest toys; in
fact, there is no purpose to which it can possibly
be applied in which it is unemployed. Scaffolds,
and houses themselves, furniture of every descrip-
tion, nets, baskets, hats, paper, mats, &c. are all
made of this eminently useful plant. As a pickle,
preserve, and vegetable, the young shoots of bam-
boo are well known; it is also used in medicine^
and in the formation of arrows, and other warlike
implements. Large joints are tied to the backs of
children in the boats, to serve as a support or float
in case of their falling overboard. Cups are made
of it, and pen-holders. Of these last, some splendid
specimens have passed through my hands. They
are made of a single large joint, the lower end
closed, ornamented with the most ingenious de-
vices, beautifully carved in alto-relievo on the out-
side, the interior being left quite smooth. From
the nature of the material, the carvings are much
superior to the beautiful works in ivory which are
frequently brought to this country, and the prices
they command are frequently very great.

Screens of small pieces of bamboo joined to-
gether so as to form a kind of delicate gauze-work,
decorated with moral sentences, cut from particu-

46 WHAMPOA.

larly fine pieces of this wood, are frequently offer-
ed for sale in Canton. The time necessary to com-
plete one of these beautiful ornaments, is of course
very gr^at, and, in spite of the low price of labour,
they are always very expensive. Birds, flowers,
and animals, are occasionally u^ed as the orna-
ments, in lieu of the moral sentences and maxims,
of which the Chinese are so fond.

In gardens and summer-houses, fences, trellises,
and screens are common, and extremely neat, most-
ly composed of the black bamboo tastefully ar-
ranged.

As an instrument of punishment, the bamboo is
justly dreaded. It is a penalty for minor offences,
and is freely resorted to by the magistrates as a re-
medy in cases where the regular punishment of
whipping by an executioner is too severe. From
this circumstance the term " bambooing'' is used
to signify a flogging of any kind.

WHAMPOA.

The foreign ships are moored in the branch of
the river situated between Bankshall or Whampoa
Island on the north, and Dane's and French Island
on the south. This part of the river is called
Whampoa Reach, and in the business season is fill-
ed for more than two miles by American, English
Company, and country ships, spine French, Pa-

WHAMPOA. 47

nish, and other vessels, always excepting Portu-
guese, who are not suflfered to come up the river,
though the regulation is sometimes evaded by put-
ting them under English colours for the time. The
channel is narrow, and being much crowded, is sel-
dom used by the Chinese junks, which usually pass
up or down a parallel branch to the north of Wham-
poa, called Junk River. As the tides are strong,
and heavy squalls frequent in the autumn, they are
moored with a swivel, one anchor up, and the other
down the stream; in spite of which, however, they
are occasionally driven from their moorings, by the
violent gusts of wind from the hills. As the shores
are muddy, serious accidents rarely occur, the fol-
lowing flood-tide floating a ship off" again, with a lit-
tle assistance. The right shore of the reach, (in
going up,) is formed by a large island, called in
Chinese Hwang-poo,* or Whampoa, on which
stands the walled town and large suburbs of boat-
yards, comprador's houses, &c. bearing the same
name. On this island, which is principally reclaim-
ed from the river, considerable plantations of sugar-
cane, rice, and other vegetables, are situated; and
some of the finest oranges to be had in the neigh-
bourhood, are the produce of groves near the pa-
goda.

The town of Whampoa is of considerable size,
having numerous large buildings, which are visi-

• Hwmg-poo^*^ The Yellow Anchorage."

48 WHAMPOA.

ble at a considerable distance. Some of these
are said to be granaries^ or public depositories of
rice, purchased annually by government, as a secu-
rity against famine, which in districts so populous is
much dreaded. Numerous flag^stafis belonging to
the mandarin houses, and temples, are seen above
the trees; and, on a range of small hills, at a little
distance from the town, is the cemetery, in which
some handsome tombs are situated. Foreigners are
prohibited entering the walled town, and are sel*
dom induced to inspect the suburbs, which are ex-
ceedingly dirty. The rudeness of the inhabitants
is another reason why they are avoided by visitei-a
at the anchorage, it being unsafe to walk about the
street unaccompanied by a Chinese of some respect-
ability. The most attractive object on shore at
Whampoa is the pagoda, one of the largest near
Canton, nine stories high, and of great antiquity,
so much so that few vestiges of the external de-
corations remain, and the mere shell is now
standing covered with brushwood and trees grow-
ing in crevices of the eaves that divide the stories.
The summit is crowned by the remains of a coni-
cal roof, nearly as high as another story. This pa-
goda I have never been close to, as it stands at
some distance from the shore, and a visit to it is
generally rewarded by a pelting with stones by the
natives, who use the same mode of annoying pas-
sing boats, having foreigners on board, at the same
time using the most abusive language and gestures,

WHAMPOA. 49

especially one significant of decapitation, which is
esteemed one of the more disgraceful punish-
ments.

Dane^s Island.

The lower island on the south side received this
name from its being the place of burial for Danish
sailors, and the spot where the crews of Danish
vessels were permitted to go on shore for amuse-
ment. The upper, or French Island, derives its
name from a similar arrangement of the French.
The people of different nations were kept separate,
in order to prevent quarrels and difiiculties, which
too frequently occurred when they were intoxi-
cated by the Chinese on shore.

The hills of Dane's Island are covered by a
growth of pine trees, and the valleys are highly
cultivated. In many places the high grounds and
hill sides are terraced for the purposes of agricul-
ture. The graves of the English sailors, Lascars,
&c. are mostly on this island; and here are to be
seen some very large and costly Chinese tombs,
which are much visited by strangers. Difl&culties
seldom occur with the villagers, except when pro-
voked, and as this is frequently done by thought-
less persons^ a little care is requisite in going on
shore. Upon one occasion only did I meet with
any hostile demonstrations, which consisted in pelt-
ing the party, of which I was one, with small
stones, from a considerable distance, by which no
5

50 WfiAMPOA.

one was injured. I have shot whole mornings on
shore without molestation, accompanied only by a
small boy; It may be here remarked of the coun-
try people, that their civility increases in propor-
tion to the distance they are situated from cities or
towns. The people in parts of the country rarely
visited by foreigners, are observed to be better dis-
posed to accommodate strangers, less insolent, and
more inquisitive, than those of the districts in which
Europeans are frequently seen. The timidity of
the natives has often induced strangers to pre-
sume too far, and the return has been the cordial
hatred of this oppressed nation, to foreigners gene-
rally.

The island of Whampoa is also called, upon the
charts of the river, Bankshall Island, from the cir-
cumstance of its having been customary in former
times for ships to send their stores and spars on
shore here to bankshalls, or temporary store-houses,
let to them for the purpose. It is a long while
since this has been discontinued, and the spars,
spare casks, &c. are now sent up to the compra-
dor's houses at Whampoa to be taken care of.

The embankments are planted with banana, li-
chee, peach, and other trees; and the entrance and
retreat of the water from the river is regulated by
sluices, much in the same manner as with us.

Embankments, ditches, or hedges, constitute the
divisions by which tracts of land belonging to dif-
ferent persons are separated, and where these are

WHAMFOA. 51

wanting, land mark? of granite, or other stone, de*
cide the respective limits. Numbers of these may
be seen in the large meadows along the shores of
the river, with short inscriptions engraved on
them.

French Island.

Here are to be seen the tombs of such gentlemen
as have died in Canton, or at Whampoa, construct-
ed like our own, and bearing suitable inscriptions.
Some very old Danish and Dutch tombs are also
here, and the graves of American sailors* There
is a propensity of the Chinese to be buried in ele-
vated situations, and consequently the price of the
place of interment is regulated by the^ height on
the hill. When a death occurs, the ship^s compra-
dor is notified' — he purchases the ground, provides
the coffin, and the body is taken on shore in a
ship's boat, and the ceremony sometimes perform-
ed by the officer. At the death of a commander
or officer, the funeral is accompanied by boats from
the other ships, and frequently by many of the re-
sidents of Canton.

The cultivation of the land is similar to that of
the neighbouring islands. The soil is sandy, and
well adapted to the culture of sweet potatoes,
yams, &c. A fine vegetable, much used in the
Sandwich Islands, called taro^ is abundant here. It
requires a wet situation, and considerable care.
The root, whidi is the edible portion, resembles a

52 WHAMPOA.

f/amy but is more glutinous. The li-chee^ an ever-
green about the size of an apple tree, is common,
and produces a delicious fruit in the spring, which
is dried and preserved in large quantities during the
whole year. The lung-an, the wam-pee, banana,
orange, &c. are delicious, abundant, and cheap.
Boats loaded with fruit row about daily from ship
to ship, and thus a supply of wholesome fruit is al-
ways at hand. The peaches are worthless, owing
perhaps to improper cultivation; the flavour is bad,
they are of a small size, and ripen with dijG&culty.
A few of the palms, from the leaves of which fans
are made, grow here, and sugar-cane is cultivated
in considerable quantities.

The river abounds with fish of various kindsj
and above the town of Whampoa there is a river-
ntitscle fishery. The boats employed in dredging
for them, have several persons on board, two of
whom can act at once, the boat .being sufiered to
drift slowly, while the dredges are pressed against
the bottom; the mud is washed out, and the mus-
cles thrown in a heap on the bottom of the boat.
Tlic animal cooked in various ways constitutes a
staple article of food among the lower classes, and
the shells are burnt into excellent lime. These
shells are seldom more than an inch in diameter,
wrinkled and black, the interior frequently with a
blue tinge — the animal is very soft and insipid.*
A few species of larger size are occasionally dredged

• The Cyrena of naturalista.

THE PAGODA, &C. 53

up with them.^ There is another singular fishery
for a species of amphibious fish, fGobius,) very
common on the mud-flats^ where they crawl about
BO much like lizards that they are at first invaria-
bly mistaken for such. They are hunted by wo-
men and children, who are seen wading through
the mud and water at low tide, with baskets fas-
tened behind them to contain their prey. These
fish are agreeable to the taste, but the cruel way
in which they are cooked is sufficient to disgust
the feelings, the cooks invariably frying them
alive!

77ie Pagoda and Hou-gua^s Fort

On the right, in passing up the river, at about
half the distance from Whampoa to Canton, stands
a* pagoda of nine stories, on b^ small mound or knoll
upon the margin of a narrow canal cut for boats
through one of the islands. This specimen of an-
cient architecture is perhaps more decayed than
that at Whampoa, and trees of a much larger size
are flourishing on its mouldering cornices. The pa-
goda is' surrounded by cultivated land, and there
are farm-houses and sugar-mills in the neighbour-
hood, while a large assembly of boats on the canal
constitutes a considerable watei: village. This pas-
sage is sometimes used by boats from the ships, but
at particular times of tide it is impassable, and the

* Symphynota bi-olata. tiea, &c. Trans. Am- PbiL So-
5*

54 APPKOACH TO CANTON. .

consequence of a boat's getting aground, is gene-
rally an attack from the people on shore, with mud
and stones. On the main branch of the river, and
commanding the approach in certain directions,
stands a square fortress built of granite, but injudi-
ciously constructed and placed on an insecure foun-
dation. Report says that this building was erected
at the expense of the Hong merchant, Hou-qua^ by
an order of the viceroy or governor, soon after the
difficulty which occurred with H. B. M. ship Al-
cestte, Captain Maxwell, in 1817, afterwards wreck-
ed in the Straits, on her way to Europe, with the
gentlemen of the last embassy on board.

APPROACH TO CANTON.

In coming up the Kver, a stranger is completely
absorbed in contemplating a scene, without a paral-
lel in any other country. When he has just escap-
ed from the confinement of a ship, the beautiful
scenery and luxuriant appearance of vegetation, is
delightful beyond measure; added io this, the ex-
traordinary sight of the multitudes of boats, ves-
sels, and craft of every description, swarming with
the water population, contributes to amuse and as-
tonish him. Myriads of boats moored in long, re-
gular streets, no one interfering with the other,
and fleets of them moving in every direction, and
yet without confusion, the bustle of business visi-
ble every where, the salt junks discharging their

a:^proach to canton. 55

cargoes into the canal boats, the vessels from the
interior of the country laden with wood, and im-
mense rafts of timber and of bamboos floating down
with the tide, managed by a few miserable little
wretches, who dwell in huts built upon the raft or
in small boats attached to them. Revenue cruizers
rowing in every direction, painted with the bright-
est colours, the men protected from the sun and
vvind by a kind of moveable thatched roof, and the
large triangular white flag with vermilion charac-
ters inscribed upon it floating over the stern, while
a cannon, with a red sash tied round its muzzle,
projects over the bow. Thousands of small ferry
boats cover the river, laden with passengers of every
age and rank; in one a dozen coolies or day la-
bourers, in another a brace of Chinese beaux, luxu-
riating on the clean mats with which the cabin
floors are covered, their heads resting on curious
bamboo pillows, pipe in mouth, regarding with a
lazy eye the active scene without, or possibly con-
templating the portrait of some celebrated belle,
with finger nails six inches long, dependant from
the screen-work of the cabin. Immense junks of
four or five hundred tons, and even larger, moored
in the stream, and gorgeoudy embellished with the
fascinations of dragons, paint, gold-leaf, and ginger-
bread-work, with a huge eye painted on either side
of the bow, to enable the vessel to see her way, as
the lower classes term it! In the evening, when
the actual bustle begins to decrease, the tremendous
din of a thousand gongs^ and the glare of flaming

66 APPBOACH TO CANTON.

papers/ which are set on fire in the boats^ and
thrown blazing into the stream^* as an evening sa-
crifice^ keep up the excitement of the scene, and
the night until a late hour,, is disturbed by the
shouts of the boatmen, and the discordant music
from the: flower boats, in which the women of the
town reside. The number, variety, and arrange-
ment of the boats, is the most surprising matter to
an American or European, apd it is long after ar-
riving in China, that a foreign eye learns to observe
uninterested the gay and active scene perpetually
passing on the river.

la an arm or branch called Salt river, formed by
a large island, just below the commencement of the
suburbs, are numbers of fishing stakes, which ex-
tend across and almost block up the. channel.
These stakes support long nets, arranged in parallel
rows, which are lowered at particular times of tide,
and when not in use are drawn up by cords to dry.
Numbers of smafU boats in which the fishermen
live, are moored near the nets. The fish taken in
this manner, are small and very abundant, form-
ing a principal article of food with the water po-
pulation. In the mud and ooze at low tide many
small fish are found buried, and when the flats

• This ceremony, >diich is by no means to be opaitted, b
called in the Anglo-Chinese slang of Canton, Chin-Chin Jos,
meaning a sacrifice to the divinity. Chin-Chin is a corruption
of Tnng-Tsing, a word used as a compliment, as Taing i$o,
*• pray sit" Jos is a comtpt prominciation of the Portuguese
IKo^God.

APPROACH TO CANTON. 57

are dry, at low water, numbers of women and
children may be seen wading knee deep along the
shore, intently searching for their game, which
is preserved in a wicker basket, fastened at the
back. Shrimps abound in all parts of the river,
and are caught in* great quantities by people who
make it a business. Baskets of bamboo are used
to take them in, and are constructed in such a way
as to admit the shrimps easily, but not to suffer
them to escape. Forty or fifty of these baskets
attached to a line are put down at a time, and
hauled in every fifteen or twenty minutes, gene-
rally loaded with very fine shrimps of large size.
Those which are taken in salt water are dried in
the sun, but the fresh water shrimps are generally
consumed in Canton.

Upon the embankment large cedar vats are
placed, in which the nets are. dyed or tanned, for
the double purpose of making them less visible to
the fish, and to preserve them from rotting. The
colour they acquire is a very deep brown. Cast-
ing nets are much used in small boats, and a kind
of basket which is somewhat like our eel-trap.
When the tide is up, portions of the flats, covered
with water maybe se«n enclosed with a fence,
formed of a very coarse bamboo mat, which as the
ebb flows out, confines the fish within its limits, but
sufiers the water to escape.

58 THE FOLLIES.

THE FOLLIES.

Two forts lying in the river, one near the Fac-
tories, and the other at the lower end of the town,
have been called from some absurd and unfounded
tradition, the Dutch and French Follies. The
story current in relation to the former, which I
believe has no. foundation whatever, is as follows:
At a time, when the Dutch had a large fleet lying
at Whampoa, and a great number of sick men on
board, they solicited and obtained leave from the
Chinese authorities, to construct this large building
for the accommodation of the invalids. Actuated
by sinister motives, the hospital was built, to serve
jaJso as a fortified post, and guns were sent into it,
concealed in large casks, which were reported to
contain medicines for the use of the sick. Unfor-
tunately, however, in hoisting one of these casks
from the boat, the weight of a gun concealed in it
forced out the head, and discovered the design of
the^ Dutch. Very much astonished, the Chinese
declared a cannon to be ** very curious phy-
sic," and forthwith sent <the foreigners back to
their ships, turning the hospital into a regular fort,
and such now remains. Never having heard' tiie
story which dubbed the lower fort, the French
Folly, I cannot of course relate the origin of its
title. The Dutch Folly is an oval fort, built on
an island of small extent in the river, near the

THE FOLLIES. 59

north shore, and separated from it by a narrow
channel, constantly crowded with innumerable
boats. A chain of rocks from the fort crosses the
river, and makes the south channel very narrow
and difficult at low water. The bed of rock^ also
extends up the river, and is perfectly dry, to a
considerable extent, when the tide is out To
these rocks numbers of people resort to wash
clothes, which is performed by beating them vio-
lently with a wooden club, or striking them on the
rocks, by which they are speedily worn out. No
junks lie higher up the river than the Folly, as a
regular anchorage, and there, the water being deep,
the largest Chinese vessels moor head and stern in
great numbers, arranged as nearly as possible in
parallel lines. Here also is one of the stations of
the flower-boats^ large barges, with a house built
over them, and highly ornamented with carving,
gilding, silk streamers, and other showy decora-
tions. Most of them are occupied by prostitutes,
who, as in Paris, are regularly licensed. Flower-
boats are kept also for the use of pleasure parties,
and may at any time be hired for such purposes.
They are very roomy and convenient, divided into
two portions; the kitchea and people of the boat
occupy the after-part, and the »est is appropriated
to a very handsome cabin furnished with screens,
lanterns, &c. in the Chinese taste.

The Follies are now in a ruinous condition, and
being totally inadequate to purposes of defence,
are only used as a rendezvous for the revenue boats

60 RICE FIELDS.

belonging to this division of the river. Stone steps
from the water lead to the gate or principal en-
trance, and at the foot of the landing the boats are
secured. Measuring lengthwise, the space enclosed
by the walls of the Dutch Folly, is perhaps two
hundred and twenty feet, the diameter one-third
of the length. Within the walls are houses serv-
ing as quarters for the officers,, flag-staff, barracks,
&c. with several very lofty and venerable trees.
The walls are of brick, built on a stone basement
founded on the rocks. AH the lids of the port-
holes are decorated with very frightful paintings
of tigers heads, as is usual in most Chinese fortifi-
cations. In size, the French is very inferior to the
Dutch Folly, resembling it generally, but differing
principally in being circular, while the latter is
oval.

RICE FIELDS.

The land composing the islands between the
Bocca Tigris and Canton, is for* the most part, flat,
with occasional and' very abrupt hills. These tracts,
which are overflowed by every spring-tide, except
where the embankments protect them, are admira-
bly adapted to the cultivation of rice, and are de-
voted chiefly to that purpose. The soil is prepared
by a very simple plough drawn by a buffalo, and
is afterwards hoed by hand. The plough is a

BICE FIELDS. Gl

most primitive implement^ sometimes consisting
of three pieces of timber very clumsily joined to»
gether. The hoe is also peculiar, being made of
hard w^ood, the edge shod with iron, and provided
with a very long handle, by which the strength of
the blow is increased. >

Men, women, and children, work indiscrimi-
nately in the fields, and nothing is more common
than to see females labouring in the mud, with
their wide pantaloons rolled up as high as possible,
in the warmest weather, each having an infant
strapped on her back, while every motion causes
the head of the unfortunate child to roll and jerk
about, to the apparent peril of its neck. Others
may be seen busily engaged in setting out the
young rice plants, which are at first sowed at ran-
dom, and when they have attained the height of
five or six inches, they are-taken up, and reinserted
in the ground at regular distances — where they
remain. In this operation all assist, and it is really
curious to observe the celerity with which a little
urchin of eight or ten years of age will go through
this fatiguing process, running along with the body
bent down to the ground, one arm sustaining a
bundle of the young rice plants, and th6 other em-
ployed in thrusting them into the soft soil.

There are two crops of rice obtained every year
from these marshy lands, but in spite of the enor-
mous produce, the fears entertained by govern-
ment of scarcity, have induced encouragements to
import it from Manila, and elsewhere. The rice is
6

62 DOC£ YARDS.

of good quality, but inferior to that of Manila,
which is nearest resembled by the Chinese upland
rice, of which only a sTmall quantity is raised.

These lands are let out by the proprietors to per-
sons who cultivate them, at yearly rents, the exact
proportions of which I was not able to ascertain.
In fact, the deception and evasion by which the
questions of foreigners are answered, make it al-
most impossible to ascertain the terms of private
agreement with any degree of certainty.

DOCK YARDS.

The lower part of the suburb, on the south side
of the river, is the station of the man-of-war junks,
and the royal dock yards. Here the repairs of his
majesty's ships are conducted, and new vessels
built, in dry docks. In making these docks, little
attention is paid to appearance; the space allotted
for the purpose is rudely excavated, and the por-
tion toward the river preserved strong enough to pre-
vent the ingress of the water. Pumps and buckets
are employed to drain the water from the leaks,
which is much increased by heavy rains. In these
docks the junks are built, and when entirely com-
pleted, and ready to float, the embankment which
separates them from the river is broken down, and
the vessel towed out into the stream. Launching

THE FACTOBISS. 63

is only practised by boat-builderS| and no vessel
intended for sea-service is ever built upon stocks
as with us. It is to be remembered that this ob-
servation relates only to vessels built in Canton;
the customs of the other provinces may possibly
be somewhat different. Accidents of little mo-
ment are repaired by grounding the vessel at high
water, and working on it when left dry by the te^-
tiring tide. This operation is also resorted to when
the bottom of a junk requires a fresh coating of the
composition used in lieu of copper, or cleansing of
barnacles, sea-weed, &c.

THE FACTORIES-

Th£ misrepresentations with regard to China,
and especially Canton, are incredible, particularly
as that city is now more visited than ever, and by
a great number of persons from -whom accuracy
and intelligence are expected.

Among other erroneous impressions which have
been, made, is that of the consequence and import-
ance of the English East India Company. Many
suppose that the Company's factory is the only one,
or, rather that all the factories are the Company's,
and other nations visiting Canton are under the
protection and controul of this monopoly. As the
Hon. Company endeavours on all occasions to lay
claim to any meritorious or spirited proceeding of

64 THE FACTORIES.

the foreigners resident at Canton, it has by its impra-
per interferences, and assumptions of superiority,
earned the same dislike and unpopularity which a
despotic and tyrannical government has entitled it
to, in all other places to which its influence extends.
The unity of the members as a body has enabled
them to carry measures which depended 'on the un-
qualified co-operation of the parties concerned.
This has been impossible among Americans and
others, inasnfiuch as the many conflicting interests
of the residents do not admit of unity in a measure
which is likely to be unequally beneficial in its ef-
fects. Success with the pusillanimous Chinese in-
duced the Company to interfere seriously in the
seasons of 1827-8 in the American trade, but for-
tunately for us their eflforts were successfully op-
posed. The result of the scheme will probably
prevent them again annoying us. * The extensive
importation of British goods in American vessels
had been materially detrimental to the Company^s
trade in China, and, as they found it impracticable
to prevent the exportation from England by Ame-
ricans, they resolved to thwart them, by using
their influence to afiect their sales in Canton. This
controversy has already been made public, and I
omit any further mention of it here, as not bear-
ing directly on our subject

By the following description it will be seen that
the Company's houses compose only a small por-
tion of the factories, and that its controul extends
only to those occupied by the members.

THE FACTORIES. 65

The factories occupied by the residents at Can-
ton, form a range of perhaps eight or nine hundred
paces in length, and extends to a Chinese cross
street behind them, various distances from four to
six hundred feet The houses are built in parallel
lines facing each other, each hong or passage re-
sembling a small street The house at the entrance
is transverse, and faces a large square to the south.
This, previous to the great fire of 1822, was enclo-
sed by a railing round the central portion of it, but
on the rebuilding ofthe factories, theVailing was not
replaced, and the square now remains entirely open.
The want of the enclosure has rendered this vacant
space a positive nuisance, for beside containing a
Chinese market, which in itself is disgustingly of-
fensive, it is the rendezvous of all the idle men and
boys of the neighbourhood, and the theatre of ac-
tion of conjurors, quack-doctors, barbers, thieves,
and vagabonds of every description. The bricks
and rubbish of the factories destroyed by the fire,
formed for a long time an offensive mound of earth
and filth, the gradual accumulations of the scaven-
gers for several years, and latterly was considered
so serious an annoyance, as to induce the residents
to petition the city authorities for its removal. In
process of time it had increased to such a degree as
to encroach upon the square, and was receiving
daily formidable additions from the labours of the
collectors of street dirt, in the savoury precincts of
Hog lane and old China street This petition after
much solicitation was received, and the nuisance re-
6*

66 THE FACTORIES*

moved in 1828, and preparations were making once
more to enclose the square and ornament it with
shrubbery, in order to render it a pleasant prome-
nade for the iniprisoned foreigners.

The East India Company constructed long stone
piers on wooden piles in the river, the tops of which
were covered by broad slabs of granite, and they
were intended to project far enough to be in a line
with the artificial ground formed by the rubbish
above mentioned. Earth was to have been placed
on the top of these granite foundations, and a conti-
nuation of the Company's garden formed. The Chi-
nese authorities permitted the work to proceed un-
til half finUhtd^ and x)ne side wall was built up,
and then prohibited any further operations, stating
as a reason, that it was an unlawful encroachment
on the river, which at this point is narrow and ra-
pid. A considerable sum was paid to a^small custom-
house mandarin, or tide-waiter, to remove his
house nearer the water-side; this was done, and, as
soon as these fellows were comfortably established
in their new quarters, in a well-built, neat, and
convenient house, the superior mandarins came
down and razed it to the foundations, compelling
them to return to their former station, but entirely
omitting to return the money. As a determination
to prevent the foreign residents from being made
comfortable was evident in these proceedings, the
matter was dropped, to be resumed when a more
favourable disposition of the local magistrates seem-
ed to warrant it.

THE FACTORIES. 67

The hongs or ranges of factories face the river
and the south; the entrance of each is secured by a
strong gate^ attended by a porter, who finds ample
employment in guarding it from the intrusions of
the natives, who are perpetually loitering in the vi-
cinity. Some of the front houses have small enclo-
sures before them, which serve to keep persons
from lounging against the wall, and are frequently
used to air clothes in, &c.

The first or eastern hong is situated on the
edge of a creek which penetrates far into the town,
from whence it has been named the Creek Factory,
Adjoining this is the Dutch, the front house of which
is occupied by the Dutch East India Company, This
factory joins the English new bong, the first house
of which is very spacious, containing the state
apartments, chapel, &c. The front is decorated by
a handsome portico verandah, which gives it a fine
and imposing appearance. The verandah of the
Dutch hong is an humble imitation, in very bad taste.
\ A terrace which has been lately placed upon the
. } 'ast India Company's factory has materially disfi-
gured it, but the elevation renders it a delightfully
cool retreat in the heat of an autumn evening.

The Chow-Chow hong, occupied principally by
Parsees, Moors, and Arabs, is separated from the
English by a narrow street called Hong lane, in
Chinese Tow4an. The excessive filth of this place,
which contains the lowest shops pbcfsible, and the
public CloacsSf has warranted the change of title

68 THE FACTORIES.

from Hong lane, to Hog lane, by which it is uni-
versally known.

Next to the ChoW'Chow^ stands the old Eng-
lish hongy entirely inhabited by members Qf the
East India Company. The Swedish Aon^ adjoining
is now entirely tenanted by American residents.
Thst Imperial OT tSttstrian hong still preserves
its name, although the trade is almost entirely
discontinued/ The houses are inhabited by various
persons, as is also the next, or Powsoon hong.
The Man-yunej which is connected with the Ame-
rican, is the last hong to the eastward of China
street. This street, which is about twenty or twenty-
two feet in width, is exclusively occupied by
tradesmen, with whom business is transacted on a
small scale, in* comparison with the commercial
operations by the hong merchants.

The opposite side of the street at its commence-
ment, is formed by a house of business of the hong
merchant, Chung-quay and imn^diately adjoining
is the Frenchj the houses being let to various resi-
dents and visiters in the business season. A small
factory called the Spanish, stands between it and
the Chinese street named after the merchant Pon-
kei-qua, and the line of hongs is terminated by the
Danish, on the other side of the street.

This was the disposition of the factories in March,
1829, at which time several improvements were
prelected, some of which may possibly ere this have
been completed. The jealousy of the Chinese, and

THE FACTORIES. 69

their fear of a permanent footing being obtained by
foreigners in the Celestial Empire, will militate
very strongly against any very extensive additions
or conveniences, as they in every instance discoun-
tenance an arrangement by which the residents may
be made more comfortable.

The internal construction of the houses is very
similar to our own, with the exception of large
rooms, purposely made for storing merchandise,
and called, as in Bengal, Go-downs. In these,
goods are deposited on wooden frames or sleepers,
raised several inches above the floor, and the sup-
ports surrounded by rice-chaff, tar, or quicklime,
as a defence against the white ants, which are very
destructive. The insects refuse to pass any of these
substances, and tolerable security is thus obtained,
though care is taken frequently to air and examine
the warehouses.

The fronts of many of the houses are furnished
with verandahs^ a kind of balcony defended from
the sun by Venitian blinds. Many of theroofs aire
crowned with terraces, which are delightful re-
treats during the excessively warm evenings of Sep-
tember and October. Tea and refreshments are
served, and several hours pleasantly consumed,
while in the hongs or houses the heat and closeness
are almost insupportable.

During the summer, a large fan, composed of
painted muslin stretched on a wooden frame, and
suspended from the ceiling, is kept in constant
motion over the table during the meals, by a cord

70 THE FACTORIES.

passing through the wall, and pulled by a servant
in an adjoining rooni. By this means a pleasant air
is produced, and any insects which may be there,
kept off. It is a curious fact that the most annoying
insect by which we are persecuted, is there ex-
tremely rare, and never troublesome — I mean the
domestic fly. In spite of the disgusting accumula-
tions of filth, which are to be found in every street,
still we find scarcely any flies, and they are never
troublesome in the houses, as they are with us. *

The cold of winter is not of long duration, and
is in comparison extremely mild. Grates are used
for the purposes of warmth, and a proportion of Chi-
nese coal added to the English, produces an agree-
able and very manageable fire. The Chinese ooal
which I have examined, resembles what is called
by dealers, egg-coal, but appears to contain more
sulphur.

As no foreigner is acknowledged by the Chi-
nese law to hold real estate of any kind, all these fac-
tories are nominally the property of the hong mer-
chants, although bona fidt belonging to the resi-
dents. This is universal with a few exceptions, in
which houses are actually owned by Chinese, and
rents paid to them by the occupants.

The ground on which the factories are built, is
land reclaimed from the river, as the buildings all

* The absence of flies is howerer fuUy atoned for in millions
of most vindictive mosquitos^ against whose attacks patience
and nankin boots are the only antidote.

THE FACTORIES. 71

stand on piles, and the tide flows up into the sewers
which run the length of each hong.

The walls of the houses are covered with white
plaster, which gives them a very neat appearance
from the river; the roofs are tiled, as is always the
case in the native houses, except in very small te-
nements, which are thatched with rice straw, or
covered with bark, or the dried leaves of the fan-
palm, which, though apparently insignificant pro-
tections against the tremendous autumnal rains,
are in fact perfectly well adapted for the purpose,
and have an additional recommendation, of being
extremely cheap, which, with a people so econo-
mical, is not a trifling one.

The bricks, composed of a kind of sandy clay,
are of a leaden colour when burnt, easily broken,
and not very durable. A fine granite, which is
abundant in the province, is much used for founda-
tions and basements, being of a good grain and co-
lour, and acquiring great hardness on exposure to
the atmosphere.

White cedar is the material of joists, floors, &c.
but is objectionable on account of its extreme soft-
ness. Teak is sometimes substituted for it, but as
it is very expensive, and more diflScult to work, is
only occasionally used. Numerous kinds of hard
wood are employed in the ornamental works, which
the workmen are not so skilful in as our own.
The screens, and other decorations of their own
dwellings, are however infinitely more curious and
elaborate. The carving in particular strikes every

72 WALLS OP CANTON.

one, not only on account of the beauty of the de-
vices, but the neatness and intricacy of the work.
The wood is generally cedar, or the camphor, which
resists the attacks of insects.

Generally speaking, the houses are very ill built
as to durability, and could only last as long as they
do in a climate so mild as that of Canton. The
made ground on which the factories and a great
portion of the south suburb stand, is very difficult
to build a good foundation on, and in some of the
houses, the failure of the walls has been consequent
to the settling of the earth.

The factories are commodious, some of them be-
ing very large, and furnished with every neces-
sary of a comfortable dwelling. The expenses
of building are moderate, but the work is but in-
differently executed, the builder generally fearing
to construct too solid an edifice, lest it endure too
long, and thus deprive him of a chance of rebuild-
ing it.

WALLS OF CANTON.

The walls which surround the city are con-
structed of various kinds of stone, and are about
forty feet in height, very thick at the base, and de-
creasing gradually to the summit, which is embat-
tled, and has a wide foot-path on it. Bastions are
placed at intervals, and through a gate in each are

WALLS OF CANTON. 73

the entrances to the city. These entrances are
wide, low, and arched, protected by thick gates^
covered with iron studs, and other defences. Pass-
ing through the outer gate, which has a wicket, at
a short distance the way is closed by another, much
slighter, composed of round wooden bars, secured
by very indifferent chains, and padlock. Cavalry
and infantry are posted at each bastion, which
forms a kind of guard-house. At nine o'clock the
gates are closed for the night, and ingress or egress
is forbidden by law. . Bribery is resorted to, and
for a trifling compensation, the guards are repeat-
edly seduced from their duty, and permit persons
to pass. Many of the ofiScers at the different gates
were displaced by the Gan-cha-sze^ (on-chat-sze, of
the Canton dialect,) or Criminal judge, in 1828, in
consequence of his having successfully bribed them
at night, when disguised as a common citizen, to
allow him to enter the town after the proper hour.
This worthy and incorruptible magistrate was re-
moved to Pekin and promoted, at the instigation
of the officers of government at Canton, who,
constantly dreading a discovery of their infa-
mous dereliction from duty, solicited the Emperor
to promote him. He was a most extraordinary
man; revered by the people for the impartiality of
his decisions, and hated by his compeers in office
.for his justice and immoveable probity. At his de-
parture much regret was expressed by the popu-
lace, and their indignation would have exhibited it-
7

74 iVTSK^.

self in a more marked manner^ but they were re-
strained by fear.

The walls are covered by a coat of plaster^ much
damaged in many places by age and accident; hav-
ing stood since the last year of the reign of Kea-
yew, A. D. 1067.

Large vacant spaces are enclosed within the city
walls^and the houses are more spacious^ less crowd-
ed^ and loftier than those of the suburbs. All the
offices of the magistrates and government are within
the walled town. Formerly no objections were
made to foreigners entering the city, and the pro-
hibition which is now in force, was said to have
been occasioned by the irregular conduct of the
Dutch many years since. As an object of curiosity,
there is little to be seen within the walls which has
not its counterpart without, and the principal cause
of the desire to visit it, is simply because it is for-
bidden.

JUNKS.

The same lamentable disregard of fitness and pro-
portion which has influenced the Chinese in the con-
struction of their fortifications is likewise remarkable
in their naval architecture; and yet while we won-
der at the excessive awkwardness of their vessels,
we are compelled to admire the consummate skill

f

THE V^-W vor.F f
PDBLiC UBflAivi ;

I

s

=Q

I

1.

T\jil.' ^ -- c^.A?vY

iJBTOB, LENOX AND

JTINJCS. 75

with which they are managed. The larger junks
are curious specimens of depraved taste in ornament,
and misconceived ideas of the form and character of
the requisites of a vessel calculated to sail swiftly
and securely. They are built with considerable
curve, or sheer, as it is termed by sailors, and sit
upon the water like huge half moons. A great beam
in proportion to their length, and a very full build,
added to numerous projections of timber heads,
&c. from the sides, are all calculated to retard their
progress through the water. These remarks apply
principally to the vessels employed in the trade of
China, and not to the ships of war, which are con-
structed with more attention to swiftness, and many
of the preposterous decorations and appendages,
which deform and endanger the trading junks are
dispensed with. The plate will give a better idea
of one of these specimens of naval architecture than
any description. All vessels, except boats and river
cruizers, belonging to the imperial marine, are to
be distinguished in Canton by the plain manner in
which they are painted, by their superior neatness.
Red and black are the usual eolours. The guns are
imbedded in carriages without trucks, or else lash-
ed on spars which cross the deck transversely; in
consequence, no aim can be taken except by yaw*
ing the vessel with the helm.

Vessels from the provinces are always easily dis-
tinguished from those of Canton, by some marked
peculiarity of their build, or in the cut of the sails,
A difference of character is observed in the physi-

76 JtrNKS.

ognomy and costume of the crews, especially in
Jhose of the Puh-K^n vessels from Amdi/. In all
cases the sails are of matting, sometimes having a
topsail of <5oarse cloth. Trading junks are not per-
mitted to carry guns, and the only arms with which
they are provided, are pikes, halberds, and some-
times swords. In size they vary from near a thou-
sand tons to forty or fifty. The hold is well con-
structed for the safety of the vessel, by having se-
veral partitions, or bulkheads across it at certain
distances, and dividing it into distinct portions. By
this arrangement, the vessel, in the event of a leak
- is in little danger of sinking; the water only en-
ters a part of the hold, and is prevented from pe-
netrating further by the tight caulking of the divi-
sions. Merchants sometimes hire one of these
chambers in the hold of a junk, and appropriate it
to the reception of their own goods. The number of
the crew is proportioned to the size of the vessel;
one of the largest size, which trade to Batavia, hav-
ing two or three hundred men, and sometimes as
many passengers. A remarkable feature is the huge
rudder, which projects from the stern, and which,
by means of a windlass, is capable of being hoisted
up, on coming into shoal water. Unlike our rud-
ders, those of the Chinese vessels are very broad,and
pierced with numerous holes, to lessen. the resist-
ance in moving through the water. Some years
since a large junk was provided with a rudder on
the European principle, and had its stern altered in
such a way as to render it more safe in case of a

CANAI^S AND CANAL BOATS. 77

sea striking if. In order to obtain permission to
make these alterations in the established mode of
ship-building, it was necessary for the owners of
the junk to purchase a written permission from the
mandarins, for which they paid^twelve hundred taels
or about one tliousand nine hundred and thirty-
three dollars. This sum, though large, was soon
found to have been well expended, as the junk
made several voyages without meeting with any ac-
cident, in consequence of the improvement in her
build and steering.

CANALS AND CANAL BOATS.

Much of the internal commerce of China is con*
ducted by canals, some of which are most stupend-
ous works of art. The only knowledge we possess
in relation to them, is that which is found in the
'Vvorks of the French Jesuits, or the later Journals
of the English Embassies. They are described as
vast attempts, the construction of which would
scarcely have been practicable in any other coun-
try than China, where the multitude of labourers,
and the trifling remuneration they receive, enables
. the government to project works which would end
in the bankruptcy of any other. The boats used
for the inland transportation of merchandise on the
canals, are built in a peculiar manner, and are many
times larger than those of Europe or America, the
largest being estimated at four to five hundred

7S CANALS AND CANAL BOATS.

tons burthen, and having a crew of forty or fifty
persons. They are constructed like long narrow
scows, drawing six or eight feet water, and having
covered cabins or holds, the roofs, or covers, about
six feet high, and rounded on the top; on this, sup-
ported by cross pieces, which rest on lateral up-
rights, are placed boards which form the real deck,
as in the safety barges used in the United States.
The sail is very large and heavy, composed of
mats, suspended between two very stout masts,
springing one from each side, and lashed together
at the top, very much like the sheers used for
masting ships. These masts are purposely con-
structed in this manner, in order that they may be
easily struck, or lowered, when passing the nu-
merous bridges which cross the canals. They are
very deeply laden, so much so as to bring the track-
ing boards, which .run round the outside of the
boat, level with the surface; On these boards the
crew walk, pushing the boat along by long bamboo
poles shod with iron. The sail is only used in
rivers previous to entering canals, where the boat
is dragged, or tracked along. These boats come
to Canton in considerable numbers, laden with tea,
raw sHk, and other articles of export which are
raised in the. northern provinces, and return with
cargoes ^f^ salt, skins, and foreign dry-goods, be-
side numerojas articles of minor importance. The
quantities of salt which these boats carry, make
them frequently draw so much water as to en-
danger them on the rocks in the riyer at Canton,

GARP£NS AT F^TES. 79

where, if they are so .unfortuQate as to strike, it
seldom happens that they are got off uninjured, and
in some cases are totally lost, owing to the narrow-
ness of the channel, and the rapidity of the stream.
A boat Jiaving on botird thirty or forty thousand
dollars worth of salt, beside other articles of cargo,
was lost on the rocks during my stay ia China,
and the lading in great part destroyed — the loss
entirely falling on the owners, as there is, no in-
surance effected on goods among the native mer-
chants. These boats, when loading with salt, lie
some distance down the river in an arm of the
stream, called Salt Biver, from the numbers of
salt junks whiph anchor there, and discharge their
cargoes. The boats lie moored in the stream side
by side, whea waiting for freight, about half way
up the town, with their tall mast struck, and every
thing made snug, in order to occupy as little room
as possible. When they are ready to depart, the
crew tow the canal boat .out into the stream, and
entirely clear of the bpats, previous to making saU;
poles and sculls are used to aid the tow-boats in
propelling it forward, and they move tolerably fast
with this assistai^*

GARDENS AT FA-TEE.

On a small branch of the river twp miles above
Canton, and on the opposite side, are situated l^s
Chinese gardens, called Fa-tee, ^^the Jhwer

80 OARBJBNS AT PA-TBE.

groundsy^^ the property, it is ssdd, of the hoDg
merchants. At the time when flowers are most
abundant, the most beautiful varieties are to be
obtained here in great perfection, and at moderate
prices. Delightful pic nic parties are occasionally
got up by the residents, who, leaving Canton In
large boats with every convenience for a party, find
the summer-houses at Fa-tee admirably calculated
for a rural fSte. The servants precede the party,
and by the time the boats have reached the gar-
dens, every thing is in readiness. Dinners, by the
native merchants, are sometimes given to foreigners
here, but on account of the distance from Canton,
are by no means to be compared with the enter-
tainments given in their Own houses. Stagnant
ponds, in which a species of carp are fed, and some
fanciful temples and summer-houses are the princi-
pal objects next to the immense collection of beau-
tiful plants. The gardens are separated from each
other, and the name of each is inscribed over the
gate of entrance, fronting on the border of the ca-
nal, or branch of the river. .During some of the
native seasons of festivity, great.numbers of flower-
boats filled with the unfortunate females of Sfia^
ming* are seen here, accompanied by bands of the
most discordant and clamorous music. The pas-
sage is narrow, and always crowded with canal and

• Sha-mingt or Shormem^ a part of the suburb on the wa-
ter*s edge above the fiMstories, the dwelling- place of great
numbers of women of the town.

aABD£NS AT 7A-TEE. 81

passage boats, and not unfrequently by large rafta
of timber from the interior.

The arrangement of the gardens is very precise
and formal, and but little attention is paid to neat-
ness: fish ponds, filled with stagnant water, in which
quantities of the lotus grow, have a disagreeable
appearance, and doubtless an unhealthy effect in
the warnri season. I am unfortunately not botanist
enough to eniwnerate the valuable and scarce plants
which are cultivated at Fa-i^e, but the display of
the varieties of oranges ^ camellias ^ daphnes^ and
rosesj struck me at the different seasons in which
they bloomed, as curious and beautiful. Yellow
roses, so rare with us, were abundant; and in the
winter the collections of the chrysanthemum were
very large, and covered with flowers of several
colours almost unknown to our horticulturists. All
the ordinary fruits of China are to be purchased at *
Fa-tee, and «ome uncommon species, for instance,
orange trees bearing the Cum-quaty which, al-
though, uneatable in its unprepared state, is made
into a most delicious preserve. The citron, or
finger fruity arrives at great perfection here, the
size exceeding those of any other garden near Can-
ton. Here also, are numerous specimens of the nit
plant y an extraordinary vegetable production,
which flourishes, suspended in small wicker
baskets, without a particle of earth. Dwarf plants
are in great favour, especially such as are distorted
or deformed, and great pains are taken in cultivat-
ing them as chamber Ornametlts. Porcelain jars,

82 SUBURB OF H0.-J7AH.

bijxes, and fanciful pieces of rock-work, with all
the crevices occupied by odd-shaped shrubs, are
common in the gardens. Collections of seeds are
put up here in small Chinaware jars for sale, but
they seldom vegetate on their arrival in America.
The bulbous roots, which are purchased at the gar-
denS; succeed much better.

SUBURB OP HO-NAM.

That portion of the town built on the south side
of the river, forms a- very populous suburb, called
Ho-nam. Here are the private residences of some
of the hong merchants, who have their hongs or
places of business near the Factories, and retire in
the evening to their houses on the opposite shore.
The lower part of this suburb is filled with small
houses and shops, crowded together very closely,
chiefly tenanted by the lower classes. Along the
shore are the dock-yards, and stations of canal*
boats, and other vessels from the interior, as well
as large rafts of timber, which come down from
the northern provinces. Gambling houses, and
many others of still worse reputation, are built on
piles along the shore, and numbers of boats de-
voted to the same purposes, are constantly anchor*
ed on this side of the river, as well as at Sha-
ming^ above the factories, on the opposite bank.
At Ho-nam there are several very curious tern*

SVBURB OF HO-HAlt» 8^

pies, espe(iialiy the great Hoe-^hong^zey which no
foreigner should omit to visit The shops of the
coffin makers are also here, and in them may be
seen the large slabs of ' cedar oT which ordinary
coffins are made^ Foreigners are permitted to
Walk with(Mit molestation through this suburb,
into the country beyond it, where afternoon excur-
sions are frequently made by strangers, and resi-
dents of Canton. A teniporary interruption of
this privilege occurred, from the iiKsconduct of
some Parsees, but the restriction .was soon re-
moved; 'at present, with the exception of an occa-
sional pelting from idle boys, no annoyance is met
with. The low land is used almost entirely for
cultivating rice, and the dry portions for sugar-
cane, and vegetables* Upon one occasion, we ob-
served a large field of fine barley, the first and only
time it occurred under my observation, in China.
Buffaloes are often met with when walking in the
fields. A small native boy is considered sufficient
to govern several of them, but the sight of a fo-
reigner alarms and irritates them exceedingly,
makingit always desireable to avoid a near approach.
The country is crossed in every direction, by
narrow roads, paved in many places with slabs of
granite. By the road sides, small oratories are ob-
served, containing either a painted tablet, or a pair
of stone idols, before which, matches and small
red candies are burnt, as propitiatory oflFerings by
travellers. Numbers of healthy, but very dirty
children swarm in every direction; generally con*

84 ST7BX7RB OF HO-NAM.

gregating in the vicinity of a tenjple, or village,
for the purpose of gazing at the forjBigners wfeo
pass, and rewarding their notice by a shower of
stones, and vollies of abuse.

Much of the ground in the rear of the great tem-
ple, is occupied by common graves, which differ
from the tombs, of the rich, in being fiimply a hil-
lock of earth, with a curved bank at the sides, and
a small engraved stone tablet imbedded in the
mound, bearfcTg the name, &c. of the deceased.
No enclosure separates a Chinese grave-yard from
the surrounding country, and paths traverse it in
every direction; the passengers uniformly avoiding
to tread on the graves. PJantations of indigo are
common; the plants being defended from the sun
by a species- of thatch placed above the ridges.
Ponds afford water for the purposes of agriculture
in dry seasons, but from being offensively stag-
nant, are doubtless very unhealthy. Travellers on
numerous roads, cross the canals and creeks,
either by ferry boats, or bridges, some of which
are beautiful specimens of Chinese architecture.
Upon one, at the distance of a mjle and a half south
of the landing, there are slabs of granite of extra-
ordinary length, and no, other material is used in
its construction. The two piers project from the
bridge, in an acute angle, by which arrangement,
the force of the stream is much broken. Bananas
and Zi'Chees are planted on the embankments,
which defend the fields from overflowing of the
canals.

HOE-CHONO-SZE. 85

Boats are found wherever there is water to float
them, collected together in fleets, which lie in the
most commodious spots. The men are, in most
cases, employed as labourers on shore, while the
women and children are engaged in Ashing. Ac-
cidents, and loss of lives, frequently occur among
such numbers of people living entirely <m the wa-
ter, and the bodies of drowned persons are often
seen lying on the overflowed flats, 'or floating in
the river. In my shooting excursions, I have oc-
casionally stumbled over the remains of some poor
wretch, half devoured by dogs, in the marshes.
Great caution is used by the natives in removing
the bodies of persons found dead, lest the imputa-
tion of murder should attach to them, which would
aflbrd an admirabfe opportunity to the mandarins,
of extorting money from the accused.

HOE-CHONG-SZE,

Or Cheat T^mpky at Ho-nam.

This magnificent establishment is one of the
principal " lions" of Canton, and the facilities which
are afibrded to visiters, leave no excuse to the tra-
veller for not having seen 4t. The Hoe^Chong^Sze
or Ho-nam Jos house, as it is commonly called, is
a monastery bf the sect of Fnh, or Buddha, and is
certainly the most gorgeous -specimen of Chinese
8 * •

8§ HOE-CHONO-aZE.

architecture to be met with. The buildings occupy
a space of several acres, including the approaches,
in addition to which, there is a very large garden,
the whole enclosed by a high and substantial wall.
Trees of various kinds are planted within the en-
closure, the foliage of which is very luxuriant^ and
evergreen, concealing the buildings from view
without Among them are several banyans, re-
markable for the pendant branches, which in Ben-
gal, penetrate the earth, and take root, while the
Chinese trees merely give out long pendulous fila-
ments, like old ropes, which seldom reach the
ground. The garden of the temple is the asylum of
thousands of birds, especially white herons, and
wild doves, which roost in perfect security on the
lofty trees, protected by the priests, who never de-
stroy animal life, or permit any one else to do so
on their premises. Domestic animals are kept here,
deposited by pious persons, to save them from
slaughter, and the enormously fat pigs which luxuri-
ate in an enclosure purposely provided for their ac-
commodation, are objects of es{)ecial wonder to
most visiters. Sheep, &c. are kept in another part
of the establishment, protected in like manner. In
relation to the remark of Mr. Ellis, in his account
of Lord Amherst's embassy, that the sacred pigs
kept at this temple, ^< wallow in the filth and stench
of years,*' it can only be said that at present these
animals are kept as clean and free from ofiensive ap-
pearance as possible, and certainly do not deserve
the epithet of a disgusting sight.

HOE-CHONG-SZE. 87

The entrance to the temple is near the ferry
stairs. Under a large gateway, guarded by strong
wooden bars, the visiter passes along the stone
pavement, which leads through a court-yard of
about two hundred feet in length, to where another
gateway or barrier arrests his progress. This en-
trance is through a house which is placed trans-
versely across the passage, and contains two im-
mense clay statues of -Chinese gods, placed one on
either side, and separated from the passage by a
wooden paling. Before them are odoriferous
matches constantly burning in pewter censers. TJie
wall is covered with pieces of written paper, pasted
up by devotees. After passing another court, cross-
ed by a similar granite pavement, a larger house of
the same kind is entered, which contains four simi-
lar statues with their respective attributes. These
gigantic figures are twenty or twenty-five feet high,
placed in a sitting posture, coloured and gilt very
fantastically. At the back of this building are two
large tablets of black stone, covered with precepts
and prayers, very neatly engraved. They are said
to be an imperial present, from K'den-lungy to the
monastery. In front of the first gateway there are
two wooden tablets, covered with similar inscrip-
tions.

There are two small temples in this space, one .
on either side, containing statues of a civil and mili-
tary demigod, about eight feet high, highly gilt and
ornamented with carving.

A flagged walk leads to the first great temple,

BS H0E-CH0KGH5ZE.

which is built upon a raised platform, ascended by
granite steps. The eaves of the roof project seve-
ral feet, and are supported by wooden lacquered pil-
lars on granite bases, forming a covered walk all
round it. Dragons and other quaint devices deco-
rate the angles of the roof, which ia covered with
coloured tiles and highly ornamented. This temple
is about one hundred and ten feet wide, and is
nearly squatre. Here the daily religious ceremonies
of the priests take place at about four o'clock, P. M.
before three gigantic gilt statues of Buddha, en-
throned in a sitting posture. In front of these idols
is placed a long altar, upon which odoriferous
matches are kept constantly burning in met^l ves-
sels^ flanked by large flower jars. Many handsome
lanterns of painted silk, glass, and horn, hang from
the roof, from which also are suspended boards co-
vered with gilt inscriptions, and some singular or-
naments peculiar to the penetralia of Chinese tem-
ples. The pillars which suppot-t the roof are of
wood, highly lacquered with red varnish, and bear
inscriptions in gold. Numerous ^mM figures of
minor divinities and deified mbrtals are arranged
on the east and west sides of the temple, each one
with a perpendicular tablet and inscription be-
fore it.

The ceiling is painted very fancifully, but with
an agreeable efieaet, well relieved hy the varnished
rafters which sustain it. Circular mats upon which
the prostrations are performed, lie in front of the
principal altar, and during the daily ceremonial,

HOE^CHONG-SZE. 89

long mats or pieces of cloth are arranged in pa-
rallel rows, on the tiled floor^ upon which the
priests kneel.

Immediately in the rear of this temple^ and at a
distance of about seventy feet, is another^ in the
eentre of which stands a beautiful white marble
obelisk, highly ornamented with sculpture, and
bearing bas reliefs on the four sides of the base. A
number of presses or cases fill.ed with religious
books, are deposited here for the use of the mem-
bers of the monastery. In form and disposition
these two temples are very similar. The doors are
kept closed except during the exercises; but being
formed of a kind of open wood-work, permit a
view of the interior. A small fee to the keepev,
seldom fails to procure admission to the whole es-
tablishment, which, from its great extent^ requires
some time to examine thoroughly.

Another temple, in the rear of the last, termi-
nates the monastery to the south. It consists of a
centre, and a small apartment on each side.

The cloisters form the sides of a large hollow
square, which contains the buildings just describ-
ed. The cells are small, opening towards the inside
of the enclosure, the entrance of each defended from
'the weather by a projecting roof supported by lac-
quered pillars. Numerous tablets covered with en-
graved characters are inserted in the wall of the
cloisters, and in a conspicuous place there is.a large
tub, contahiing a metal vessel, filled with tea, for
the use of the native visiters who are constantly
8* • *•

90 HOi:-cuoNa-sz£.

lounging about the court-yard of the temple, or re-
clining on the seats against the wall.

The right wing of the establishment is occupied
by a smallcr.temple of two stories, filled with idols,
the enclosure for the sacred pigs, a printing-office,
<and . smaller domestic buildings. A part of the
cloisters is also appropriated to the shops of tailors,
&c. who make the clothes worn by the members of
the institution.

On the left is the reception room for strangers,
the refectory, a large apartment filled with long ta-
bles and benches, smelling most abominably, seve-
ral tcfmples, kitchen, and servants offices; A passage
leads to the garden, where the oven for burning the
bodies of the deceased brethren is situated. Close
to it are the vaults where the ashes are deposited,
enclosed in. earthen jars. Several acres of good
land surrounded by a high Wfill, form the garden
of the monastery, in which most of the provisions
used ^ by the members are cultivated; their creed
prohibiting the use of animal food.

By numerous donations the Ho^-chong-sze has
become very rich, aod the superior is now consi-
dered a person of consequence. Foreigners who
visit the place are always treated with kindness if
they do not provoke the anger of the inmates by
improper conduct.

Sometime previous, to my departure, I went
with a party, by invitation of the superior, to break-
fast at the temple, where we were treated to a feast
of vegetables, dressed in a very- singular manner.

HOE-CHONG-SZE. 91

Quantities of oil were used in every dish, and many
of them were far from pleasant to the taste, while
those which were endurable were very insipid
from the want of salt Tea was served in the Chi-
nese style, -without milk or sugar, in covered cups.
Preserves of m?iny different kinds, some of them
very palatable, terminated one of the most cheer-
less feasts at which I ever assisted; for, in addition
to the simple nature of the fare, a very cool morn-
ing, and tiled floors contributed very much towards
making our revels dull and uncomfortable. I ob-
served several strange kinds of food, ^ch as dried
cabbages and mushrooms, with some roots of pecu-
liar flavour, smelling so powerfully lis to be very dis-
agreeable. After returning home and refreshing
ourselves with some more substantial comforts at
our own table, we received a present of winter
flowers, preserves, &c. which elicited a suitable re-
turn.

This disposition to be civil to foreigners has de-
monstrated itself very lately, and it is sincerely
hoped that nothing may occur to interrupt an in-
tercourse which is certainly very pleasant. The
monastery gardens are a delightful resort during
the hot months; foreigners are permitted to range
freely through them, and as I have observed, a
trifling fee will procure a view of the whole insti-
tution.

Beside the great temple, there are several Hnal-
ler ones in the Ho-nam suburb, but none which
can be compared to it in point of size or magnifi-

92 THE EXECUTION GROUND.

cence. In fact, it is said to be the most extensive
and well-regulated establishment in the province.
A large monastery of the sect of Taau, in the west
suburb of Canton, is a very large and curious esta-
blishment. The view from the upper stories of the
central building is excellent, embracing a great por-
tion of the dity and surrounding country.

The character of the inmates of the Buddhist
monasteries is very disgraceful. They are accused
of every description of immorality, and are spoken
of generally as moist depraved and abandoned men,
who, unrestrained by any fear of present disgrace
or futttre punishment, give themselves up to th^
unrestrained indulgence of the most vicious pro-
pensities.

Such of the fraternity as are not attached to any
regular monastery, wander about as mendicants,
and in the wild districts of distant provinces, herd
together as banditti; rob|)ing and murdering travel-
lers, plundering villages, and bidding defiance to
troops sent against them by the o£Scers of govern-
ment. In 1826, a band of several hundred were
discovered in Ihe province of Shan-tung and rout-
ed by the imperial forces.

THE EXECUTION GROUND.

The place appropriated to public executions is
situated without the walls, iu the south suburb of

THE EXECUTION GROUNI). 93

the city, and is literally a portion of a public and
much frequented street. The numerous persons
who pass and repass continually, appear to be little
affected by the revolting spectacle of numbers of
human heads which are decaying in an enclosure
against the wall. At the time I visited this place,
there were perhaps forty heads, in various stages of
decay, most of them shut up in small cages, in which
they were suspended for a certain time at the place
where the crime was committed for which the cul-
prit suffered. '

The place is surrounded by shops and dwelling-
houses, and the numerous inhabitants, inured to
this-shooking sight, vieiv it in the coolest and most
indifferent manner possible. On this spot sixteen
men were decapitated at one time, for the murder
of the crew of the French ship Navigateur in 1828.
The executioners performed the task with great
skill, and the unhappy culprits exhibited no symp-
toms of suffering, expiring apparently in an instant.
One only appeared movjed by his approaching fate,
and he appealed in his provincial dialect to the fo-
reigners present, in a very earnest manner, but of
course in vain. After the execution, the bodies
were thrown into a pit with a quantity of lime, and
the heads, enclosed in small cages, were suspend-
ed against the wall on the inner harbour of Macao,
in full sight of the sailors, to act as a warning.

The parties were tried at Canton, and the fo-
reign residents were present by invitation. A
scene such as this, is seldom witnessed, and being

94 STREETS OP A CHINESE CITY.

eurious and uncommon^ I have described it sepa-
rately.

Torture is frequently adopted to extort confes-
sion, and many crimes are punished by torments of
the most horrible kind. Scalding with hot oil, cut-
ting to pieces slov<rly, mutilation, &c. are the penal-
ties assigned for crimes of the most atrocious cha-
racter, while strangling, decapitation, and banish-
ment are the rewards of minor oflfences. The num-
ber of executions annually is very great, as many
crimes are there punished with death, which else-
where are thought undeserving of it. Many unfor-
tunate men perish victims to the influence of their
enemies, and innocent of the crimes imputed to
them, while, on the other hand, bribery and cor-
ruption eflect the release of criminals, for whom,
frequently, death is too mild a punishment.

STREETS OF A CHINESE CITY.

Foreigners are particularly struck by the nar-
rowness of the Chinese streets. In Canton, the
widest of them certainly does not exceed one of
our lanes, and the mass of people which constantly
fills them, renders the passage difficult, and dis-
agreeable. The pavement consists of slabs of gra-
nite placed transversely, and cut roughly on the
surface, to prevent slipping in Wet weather.
Boards are mostly thrown across from the roofs^

STREETS OP A CHINESE CITY. 95

on either side, by which means, the rays of a burn-
ing sun are in a measure excluded. There are no
side paths^ or trottoirs, as wheeled carriages are
never seen in Canton, and no horses, except those
belonging to the military. A kind of tacit agree*
ment exists among people, to prevent as much as
possible confusion in a crowded passage, by all
who are going the same way, keeping one side of
the street, and those who are progressing in a con-
trary direction, the other. Without some such ar-
rangement, a passage through the streets, crowded
as they are, would be almost impossible. Scavengers
are constantly employed in removing the dirt, which
collects in great quantities, but in spite of their la-
bours, the streets are frequently disgustingly filthy,
and abound in the most abominable smells imagina-
ble, especially in the rear of the factories, and near
the butchers^ and poulterers' shops. So dirty in-
deed, are some of them, that the names have be*
come proverbial, as for instance, Hong-lane, z.s it
was originally called, has by a very apt and signi-
ficant corruption, degenerated into ffog-lane, by
which, it is now generally known.

The name of each street, is in most cases, written
over the gateway which separates the squares, one
from another, and by the most ridiculous perver-
sion, some of the most disgusting thoroughfares in
Canton, are distinguished by most fragrant titles.
In fact, the flov^ery style of ttie East occurs here in
connexion with such places and things as to make
the matter supremely ridiculous. Nothing can be

96 STREETS OP A CHIKESE CITY.

more pompous and absurd than the literal transla-
tion of the names of streets, districts, and of
the various chops of tea, which accord perfectly
with the hollow and super|icial habits of the na-
tives.

At the extremity of each square, is a gate or
barrier, which is closed about ten o'clock, and
guarded by a watchman, who walks upon, his beat,
striking a heavy bamboo club against the stone
pavement. The noise thus created, may be heard
at a great distance, and serves to assure the inhabi-
tants of the watchman's vigilance. Every one de-
sirous of passing these street gates after the hour
of closing them, must carry a lighted lantern, hav-
ing his name and residence painted on it. In the
event of a robbery, or alarm, the entrance of the
street is immediately secured, inclosing the offen-
ders, and rendering, their detection almost certain.
Look-out-houses are placed in various parts of the
suburbs, elevated above the houses, on bamboo
scaffoldings. In these are stationed men, who
watch over the city, and give the alarm of fire, by
striking gongs. The trust appears any thing but
an enviable one, for in high winds, these little
edifices though firmly built, are certainly very in-
secure and dangerous stations, raised as they are,
thirty or forty feet above the tops of the surround-
ing houses.

Good order is further maintained by the police,
who are stationed at guard-houses in different dis-
tricta of the city and suburbs.

IPOLICE^ 97

POLICE.

Few countries can boast of a more widely-spread
and eflTective police, the ramifications of which ap-
pear to reach every where, and whose agents are
dispersed among every class of people, all acting
as spies upon each other. In addition to the usual
police officers, there is a kind of interior police,
composed of numbers of men kept in pay as secret
agents, who are not distinguished by any pecu-
liarity of dress, and who, by mingling constantly
in all crowds, assemblies, &c. keep a careful and
vigilant watch on the actions of suspected indi-
viduals; A number of these men may be seen
sauntering about the squares in the most indifferent
manner possible, and in an instant they rush among
a knot of people, and seizing one of the number,
bind, and bear him off, with great rapidity. The
police runners are much dreaded by the populace,
as they occasionally seize innocent persons, and
accuse them falsely of criminal proceedings, in
order to extort money; the individual generally
preferring to submit to the exaction, rather than
run the risk of being formally accused by these
wretches, before corrupt magistrates. By the ex-
cellent regulations of the police, criminals seldom
escape punishment for any length of time, as they
are subject to the scrutiny of police spies wherever
they go J and no ceremony is used in taking a man
9

98 POLICE.

into custody, whose conduct is in the slightes. 3^
gree suspicious. In the neighbourhood of the tar.
tories, numbers of the police are consts'-ii y
mingled with the crowds, which are daily coUecic i
there, watching the motions of suspected person-
and not unfrequently arresting them^ while very
busily employed in plundering the unwary coui
try people, who resort to the open square, to gaze
at the Fan-Kwei^s.*

Persons in the police service, usually carry
whips, or short swords, concealed in the large
sleeves of their jackets, in order to prevent a
rescue, and to defend themselves, if necessary.
The populace very rarely interfere with the oflB-
cers of justice, and the criminal is generally car-
ried away without opposition. All riotous assem-
blies in the streets, are speedily dissolved by a
vigorous application of the whip, which is bestowed
unsparingly on all concerned in the disturbance,
and sometimes on those who are merely spectators.
Remonstrance is in vain, and submission in such
cases is the only plan.

• This very flattering epithet, which means literallj
"Foreign devil," is the common term by which we are de-
mg^ated by the Chinese, and so frequent is the use of it, that
it is no longer regarded as a tiUe of abuse, but received as a
matter of course.

THE FINE ABT9. 99

THE FINE ARTS.

In sculpture, the Chinese have attained consi-
derable skill, though in most cases it is misapplied,
in creating imaginary monsters, rather than imita-
tions of nature. A great taste prevails for extraor-
dinary carvings in wood, stone or metal, and espe-
cially for figures composed of the finest white por-
celain. Such figures are in most cases, either
ludicrous and deformed representations of men, or
figures of particular divinities. The business of
carving in granite is extensively carried on, by
persons who employ themselves in the manufacture
of decorations for houses or tombs, and in sculptur-
ing the small figures of deities, which are found
placed at gateways of streets, and large houses.
The larger figures, which are found in temples, are
either modelled in clay, afterwards gilt and painted,
or cut in wood, which is another branch of sculp-
ture very much encouraged, as almost all the in-
terior ornaments of the Chinese dwellings, temples,
or palaces, are of carved screen work, very taste-
ful and elegant in design. Sculpture in ivory,
metal, and tortoise shell, from China, has been long
prized by lovers of foreign varieties, although cer-
tainly little deserving of admiration, further than
as objects of curious labour, the design and execu-
tion being generally very stiff, and without regard
to proportion or perspective. Boys are the prin-

474932A

100 THE PINB ART5.

cipal workmen in ivory and tortoise shelly cutting
with considerable rapidity, after having traced the
pattern carefully in India ink. The instruments
are simply small iron rods, with points of various
kinds, ground very sharp, and kept in order by a
common hone. With these rude implements, the
most elaborate specimens of ivory work are com-
pleted, such for instance as the celebrated concen-
tric balls, which are ornamented with such inge-
nious devices. As most of the boys who are thus
employed, receive no compensation for their la-
bours, further than their clothes and provisions, it
is easy to understand how these pretty specimens
of patient skill are sold at prices comparatively
low.

Painting has not kept pace in China with the
sister art of sculpture, for we discover few speci-
mens in which light, shadow, or perspective are
properly applied. The style of European pictures
is imitated with considerable success, in copies or-
dered by foreigners, but when painting for his own
countrymen, the artist returns to the same dull and
ineffective style, in which he has been originally
instructed. As in other branches of art, the remu-
neration is comparatively small, but many of the
pictures on which the greatest labour has been be-
stowed, are in reality, those to which the least real
value can be attached by a connoiseur.

ABCHITECTXTRE. 101

ARCHITECTURE.

The peculiar style of Chinese architecture, is
familiar to every one, from the representations
which occur on their porcelain, and painted wares.
The large flat roofs, carved gables, and fantastic
decorations of the summit, are striking and pic-
turesque. Ornaments are dispersed without any
regard to what we esteem good taste, and yet the
general effect of their buildings is pleasing, colours
are brought in strong opposition, without offending
the eye, and in fact, it seems that the originality
of the edifices, entirely reconciles us to the palpa-
ble absurdities of their construction.

The materials which are used by builders, are
brick, a kind of fine granite, and sandstone, the
latter principally for basements, for which purpose
the exterior surfaces are carefully dressed by the
mason.

The clay used for making bricks, is of a lead
colour, and appears unchanged in the process of
baking, which is much less carefully done than
with us; the Chinese bricks being of a loose tex-
ture, and easily broken. Timber of various kinds
is in use for building, but a kind of white cedar is
principally employed, on account of its durability,
and cheapness. A kind of wood called China teak^
is also used for rafters, and other heavy work,
while the floors are almost invariably of cedar,
9*

102 FA60DA9.

In comparison with the ancient Chinese buildings
now extant, the modern edifices are very slight
and indiflFerently built, with the exception of forti-
fications, and similar works, which are constructed
with much care, and of very solid materials. When
about to raise a building, the Chinese prepare a
scafiblding, somewhat higher than the intended
edifice, and cover the top and most of the sides
with a thatch of dried palm leaves, in order to
protect the workmen and building from the
weather.

PAGODAS.

The pagodas of China are immense octagonal
towers, which are built of brick, and are generally
located on a hill, or in some very conspicuous situ-
ation. They are usually of nine stories, but are
found with seven. Those in the vicinity of Canton
which are situated on the main branch of the river,
are all nine stories in height; those in the inner
passage which leads to Macao, are of seven. The
stories are divided by a broad projecting cornice of
brick work, upon the angles of which, in the per-
fect buildings, bells are suspended, and when agi-
tated by the wind, produce a tinkling sound. All
the pagodas near Canton are in a perfectly ruinous
condition, and no trace of the ornaments which are
said to decorate the perfect ones in other provinces

PAGODAS. 103

remains, except in some, a huge mast projects from
the ruined roof, many feet above it. Upon this, balls
of great size were formerly placed, and these balls,
and the chains which descended to each angle of the
upper-story roof, were represented to have been
generally gilt only, but in some of pure gold! On
those which we saw in our neighbourhood, trees of
considerable size are found, and bushes and long
grass are growing from the crevices of the brick
work.

A number of accidents have happened from the
loose bHcks falling on people who were induced to
go into these buildings, and many of them have
their doors walled up in consequence. A small tem-
ple is usually found at the side of them, built of
brick, and in no very flourishing state. These cu-
rious specimens of architecture are one hundred
and twenty or one hundred and thirty feet high at
present, and are built of a lead-coloured brick,
which is much decayed. The pagoda of Nankin is
stated to have floors at each stpry, but those of Can-
ton have no trace of them, being quite hollow
throughout their whole height.

There is a small kind of pagoda, very common
along the river shore, which is of brick, and either
octagonal or square, with a pointed roof, and a
glazed porcelain or gilt ball upon the summit; they
are of recent date, and are said .to be occupied as
temples. They are about sixty to eighty feet in
height, and are of four stories generally. A very
fine one is to be seen in going down to Macao by

104 HOUSES.

the inner passage. Large trees are always to be
seen near these edifices; sometimes the banyan, so
celebrated in Bengal for its immense size.

HOUSES.

The aspect of a Chinese house from without is
very cheerless. In front of each dwelling there is
a court-yard, separated from the street by a high
wall, usually pierced with a gate and two large
windows, furnished with fancy screens of glazed
earthenware. The house is approached through
this court, and in it the palanquins of visiters are
set down. Chinese dwelling-houses rarely exceed
two stories in height, but many of the temples and
other public buildings have several. The interior
arrangement is neat. The blinds of the verandahs
protect the rooms from the immediate influence of
the sun, allowing at the same time a circulation of
air.

The floors are almost always covered with red
earthenware tiles, which, as fires are not used ia
•the cool season^ make the rooms extremely uncom-
fortable. Wrapped in several suits of clothes, one over
the other, and wearing shoes with soles two inches
thick, thenativesare not inconvenienced by the cold,
which, though never very great, is notwithstanding a
sufficient contrast to the long summer to be disagree-
able. In the northern provinces, where the winter

HOUSES. 105

is severe, fires are used perforce, while in Canton,
the short period of cool weather is not considered
to require any other defence than additional clothes*
Much ornamental carving is observed in the inte-
rior of the better kind of Chinese houses, in parti-
tion screens and cornices — the vacant spaces of
which are filled with stained silk, or linen, tastefully
painted. Long scrolls, bearing moral sentences or
maxims, hang from the walls, occasionally flanked
by a large painting of birds, bamboos, or flowers.
A table bearing vases of flowers, an incense burner,
and perliaps a^curiously distorted fragment of wood
or stone stands at one end of each room, while the
other is occupied by a kind of divan covered with
cloth, and furnished with cushions to repose on. A
dark wood, resembling mahogany, and acquiring a
deeper tint from age, is the material of which the
best furniture is composed. Mat cushions are
placed upon the chairs, and between every two
seats stands a small tea-table, and a metal or China
spitting-jar. Light is afibrded by glass or silk lan-
terns of various forms, some of which are of taste-
ful shape, and covered with well-executed draw-
ings in oil or water-colours. In the verandahs and
passages are placed seats of China, and green stands
of glazed earthenware, sustaining jars of flowers,
and here and there a stone of singular shape,
mounted on lacquered wooden legs, intended as a
chair.

The beds are placed in recesses, defended by
gauze curtains, which in the day time are confined

106 HOITSES.

by silver or brass hooks, at the head and foot. A
mat spread upon the wooden platform, constitutes
the bed. The pillows are either of mat stuffed very
hard, of leather, or bamboo, in shape resembling a
log of wood, and quite as hard and unyielding-
Quilted counterpanes and European blankets are
laid up in neat folds at the side, or on a shelf raised
a few inches above the bed. Long poems cover the
silk or muslin tops of the curtains, and a gay pic-
ture or inscription decorates the recess in which the
bed is placed.

Circular doors and windows are often to be seen
in large establishments. The windows are filled
with carved wooden or green earthenware screens,
of beautiful patterns, and sometimes with an inge-
nious lattice of black bamboo. In country resi-
dences, where it is not an object to economize room^
the gardens are handsomely laid out, and small
temples or summer-houses at intervals, contribute
to render the effect very pleasing. The nelumbium
or water-lily of China is a great favourite; it is cul-
tivated in large stagnant ponds, which are seen in
all the gardens near Canton. Carp and other fish
are also kept in these ponds, where they are fed,
and become very tame. Gold-fish are preserved in
earthen jars, or in globes of glass, where they at-
tain a great size. As an article of food they are un-
known, and are only prized for th^ir gentleness and
beautiful colour.

PUBLIC SQUARES. 107

PUBLIC SQUARES.

Although the streets are arranged in such a
manner, as to compress them as much as possible,
yet in the vicinity of some large temples, situated
in the suburbs, there are some open squares of con-
siderable size. These are chiefly used for market
places, and the sites of temporary theatres, where
plays are performed during seasons of festivity.
Shops and dwelling-houses are built round them,
facing the interior, and during these public exhibi-
tions the upper stories are let to spectators at a
moderate price. The populace occupy the centre
of the square gratis. Flag-staffs are raised in most
of these places, and upon certain days, colours are
hoisted, bearing peculiar devices. In China, the
method of displaying a flag, differs essentially from
our own. Instead of attaching the flag to the cord
by which it is raised, the Chinese suspend it
from one end of a pole; the haliards are made fast
to the centre, and a cord from the other free ex-
tremity goes down to the foot of the staff to steady
it by. By this arrangement, the flag hangs out
straight, and displays itself in calm weather, while
with us, the contrary effect takes place. The per-
sons belonging to the temples have charge of these
flags, except where there is a guard-house, and the
colours are military.

Conjurors, quack doctors, and innumerable va-

108 BARBERS.

grants swarm in all these public places, surrounded
by crowds of idlers, all anxious to witness their
exhibitions. The market people, seated by their
baskets, occupy the sides of the square, while the
passages to and from the neighbouring streets are
by common consent kept tolerably clear.

BARBERS.

The custom of shaving the head, with the ex-
ception of a portion of the crown, from which the
hair is suffered to fall down in a long plaited cue
interwoven at the end with a silk string, originat-
ed at the Tartar conquest, and is a badge of servi-
tude imposed upon the natives by the conquerors
of their country. So long a time has elapsed since
the overthrow of the last Chinese dynasty, that
they no longer look upon this appendage as an in-
sulting or disgraceful mark, but, on the contrary,
cultivate the cue with great assiduity, and pride
themselves particularly on its size and condition.
It consequently happens that barbers are very nu-
merous, and quite indispensable, but differing from
their European brethren in a remarkable point, viz.
silence. During the operation of shaving and regu-
lating the hair, scarcely a word passes from the
barber to his patient, and at the close of the busi-
ness he rises silently from his seat, and depo-
siting a small sum, according to his means, as a
remuneration for the services of the tonsor, stalks

COSTTJME. 109

off without haying opened his mouth, or having
been asked a question. There is said to be a regu*
lation prohibiting barbers from any regular demand
on their customers, and leaving them to depend
very much on the generosity of those who re-
quire their services; this is only the case with na-
tives, for on being called upon to practice on a fo-
reigner, they by no means forget to insist on a sa-
tisfactory equivalent for their labours. The atreets
of Canton and Macao are filled with these people,
' who, with a kind of stool fitted witli drawers, to
contain their apparatus, and a wooden vessel for
holding a small charcoal furnace, hot water, and a
small tub, sit for hours in the open squares and
streets," plying their vocation.

A peculiarity of the Chinese may be mentioned
here. They have a great aversion to sit upon a seat
which has been recently occupied by another, and
is warmed by the heat of the body, and conse-
quently they are observed, previously to sitting
dbwn, to turn over the cushion, in order to avoid
this annoyance; and for this purpose the barbers
have a loose board on the top of their bench, which
is taken ofif on the arrival of a customer, and a cool
seat offered him.

COSTUME.

The dress of persons belonging tp the various
provinces, as well as individuals in different ranks
10 '

110 COSTtTME.

of life, varies exceedingly, but the general model
is not departed from. The usual articles of Chi-
nese dress, are a shirt, drawers, a long shirt-gown,
or pelisse buttoning in front over them, stockings
and shoes. The quality and number of these gar-
ments is regulated by the weather. In summer,
for instance, the thinnest grass-cloth robe over a
light shirt of the same material, thin silk drawers,
stockings and shoes, constitute the entire clothing
of most persons of respectability met with in the
streets, while in winter, jackets of fur or cloth
thickly wadded, are piled on over all, to the num-
ber of four or five, giving the wearer the appear-
ance of being very hump-backed and deformed, as
he walks along, his head sunk between his shoul-
ders, and the full, long sleeves of the outside
jacket covering the hands, and hanging several
inches below the tips of the fingers. The dress of
the higher classes in the winter is very magnifi-
cent, and expensive. The finest silks, and most
expensive furs, broadcloths, and other xostly mate-
rials are lined, quilted, and embroidered in the
most beautiful mannner for the jackets and coats,
and all the other parts of the full dress are in. a cor-
responding style of expense and elegance. And
yet with all this gorgeous display of externals, it
is by no means uncommon to observe beneath all
these splendid cloths, a shirt of quite a coarse
fabric, and generally abominably dirty! It has
been my fate to see some Chinese gentlemen,
whose dresses were of immense value and per-

COSTUME. Ill

fectly spotless without, wear linen beneath their
gorgeous trappings, which our poorest people
would be ashamed of, in such a state of disgusting
filth.

The poorer classes wear blue nankin quilted with
cotton, almost entirely, the colour being dark and
little liable to soil, and the material very durable
and cheap. The plate exhibits the form and cut
of the dress, which is very simple. In the warm
months, boatmen, labourers, and coolies or porters
wear nothing while at their work but a pair of drawers,
made very wid^, and fastened round the waist
with a silk string, the body in other respects en-
tirely uncovered, and when in the sun only par-
tially protected by the immense circular bamboo
or straw hat. When the rains are severe, they
throw a cloak over the shoulders, made of dried
rush leaves, which turns the rain very effectually,
but is a most extraordinary wild and savage look-
ing ve9tment. Occasionally, in the hottest part of
the day, it is also worn by the labourers in the
fields, as a protection against the fierceness of the
sun. Umbrellas and fans are used by the richer
people, for the purpose of protecting their heads
from the sun, as it is not customary to wear a cap
during the warm season, except on occasions of
ceremony. The head is covered in winter, by a
black silk skull-cap, fitting very close, with a silk
knot on the top to take it pflf by. As the dress of
ceremony differs slightly from the ordinary cos-
tume, a description of it will be necessary. Over

112 COSTUMS.

the shirt and drawers, is worn in summer^ a long
coat or robe, buttoning down the side, or in front,
the buttons being gold or gilt, and deeply engrav-
ed, fastening with silk loops. This coat is of very
thin transparent silk, or China linen, fastened round
the waist, by a silk girdle, the clasp df which is
generally set with a valuable stone. The cap is of
bamboo, very finely woven, of a conical shape, the
apex crowned by a button of gold, or coloured
stone, according to the rank of the wearer. A
tuft of hair dyed red falls down from the button,
over the outside of the cap. A cover of white
silk is sometimes put ov^r the cap hy rich persons,
and crimson silk substituted for the hair.

The alteration in the dress of ceremony for
winter, consists in substituting silk over-coats,
wadded with cotton, or lined with fur, and a cap
of black silk, the rim turned up all round, and
faced with velvet, with crimson silk, dependent
from the button on the summit of the crown. The
full dress boots are always of black satin, the
edges 'of the soles painted white. In addition to
the badge of rank worn on the cap, in form of a
globular button, there is an embroidered ornament
on the breast of either a square or circular form,
according to the rank of the wearer. The em-
broidered figure is either a bird,, a dragon, or a
tiger.

The buttons worn on the cap, are as follows: —
1st. Transparent red. 2d, Opaque red. 3d. Opaque
blue. 4th. Light blue. 5th. Crystal, or whita

COSTUME. 113

glass. 6th. Opaque white glass, or stone. 7th.
The same. 8th. Flowered gold. 9th. The same.
Of all these, there are divisions in rank not dis-
tinguishable by the decoration of the c^ip alone. The
privilege of wearing these insignia is either con-
ferred as a reward for meritorious service, or is
purchased by the wearers. Persons cannot have
corporal punishment inflicted on them, unless pre-
viously deprived of the button distinctive of their
rank.

Very beautifully embroidered pouches or pockets
are worn in froat, attached by a silk cord, passing
round tbe waial; they are frequently decorated
with devices in gold thread, very tastefully work-
ed. They are closed by a flap in front, fastened
by a button and loop. In addition to this orna-
ment, the watch cases, and sheaths for fans
equally pretty and curious, deserve notice. The
watch is enclosed .in a case, in which there is a
circular hole, which permits the dial to be seen
without drawing out the watch. They are worn
at tbe side of the purse, and sometim,es one on
each side; the watches for the Chinese market
being almost always sold in pairs. The face of
the watch is always turned from the body, so as to
display it. The fan-cases are worn at the side, and
look like short swords at a distance.

The dress, is completed by the pipe and tobacco-
pouch. Those wha are connoisseurs in pipes, pre-
fer those which have been smoked a long while,
and the age pf a pipe stem is a pretty certain proof
10*

114 COSTTTMl:.

of value. Bamboo, metal, and various kinda of
wood are used for stems, and for many kinds
prices are given quite ridiculous to us. White cop-
per or silver is the common material of pipe heads,
though they are often seen of wood, wood lined
with copper, glass, or even earthenware. Precious
stones, amber, metal, or glass mouth-pieces are
used, except in the most common kind of pipes,
which are destitute of either bowl or mouth-piece,
being simply a bamboo pierced with a hole; the to-
bacco is put in' at the large end, and the other
placed in the mouth. The hookah^ which is erro-
neously supposed to be a Chinese pipe, is not used
there by the natives, but by the European residents.
Formerly it was much more fashionable in Canton
than at present, though ih Bengal and other parts
of India, it is constantly used both by natives and
strangers. The eflfort of smoking is oppressive to
novices, and it also* affects the head with a tendency
to apoplexy, according to the experience of physi-
cians in the East. The pipes used in China for
smoking opium are on an entirely different princi-
ple, which will be fully described in its proper
place. A small kind of segar, made of chopped or
broken tobacco enclosed 4n paper cylinders is much
used by the poor people, the price being very low,
and they are more portable than a pipe, which can-
not always be used when the hands are employed.
Many Chinese figures and drawings which are
brought home by travellers represent dresses of pe-
culiar kinds which are never seen there^ as they

COSTUME. 115

are the ancient costumes now discontinued. Such
for example are the dresses in which the figures of
the demigods and great men are represented in.
The favourite attitude is standing or sittings the
hands closed in front, and holding a flat haton or
sceptre. The head-dress called MSSn is usually ob-
served on deified civilians. It is a kind of cap, on
the top of which is a flat board, something in the
manner of a collegian's cap, with strings of pearl
or other gems, dependent from before and behind.
According to Dr. Morrison, the rank of the wearer
was denoted by the number of gems, th^ Emperor
having two. hundred and eighty-eight. These were
called Lew. The ancient covering for the head on
occasions of state and ceremony, was simply a linen
crown.

Priests of the Taou sect are occasionally seen in
the streets of Canton, wearing the cap called M'i^n,
of blue' nankeen, without the decorations; as it is
seldom observed, it is not improbable that; it is con-
fided to particular persons of the sect.

The natives of the northern and eastern pro-
vinces are sometimes very singularly attired, hav-
ing over the outer coat a surceat or jacket without
sleeves, of a light colour, having a broad, dark
binding, and decorated with large flat buttons.

Among the ancient Chinese, the dress was of' a
looser and more dignified description, more resem-
bling the early draperies of other nations in volume
and in gracefulness. Now, however, the ancient
costume of China is only to be seen among the in--

116 SHAVINa THE HEAD.

habitants of the peninsula of Corea in the Yellow
Sea, a nation tributary to China, and but little vi-
sited by strangers..

SHAVING THE HEAD.

Pkkvious to the conquest of the Chinese empire
by the Manchoo Tartars, the hair was wor^ long,
but in the reign of the first Tartar Emperor, S'AwTi-
ch&i A. D. 1643, an imperial edict was issued, com-
manding the subjugated Chinese to conform to the
Tartar custon;i of shaving the head, with the excep-
tion of one long lock on the crown^ whiqh is worn
as a cue, neatly plaited, aiid interwoven at the
end with a silk string. Upon the^nstitution of this
curious custom, much resistance was experienced
from the natives, and many of the Chinese nobles,
rather than undergo this disgraceful operation, pe-
rished by the command of the conqueror. At the
present day, the loss of this very badge of servi-
tude, is considered, next to death, one of the most
serious misfortunes that can happen, as the distin-
guishing mark of convicts and criminals is the de-
privation of this long and carefully cultivated tail.
Tbose whose hair is not uncommonly luxuriant,
have, as with usj recourse to artificial means to sup-
ply the deficiencies of nature, and wear an «ippen-
dage of hair interwoven with their own, to increase
it to a reputably fashionable size. The universal

TAKING A PETITION INTO THE CITY. 117

prevalence of this tonsure gives employment to a
great number of peripatetic barbers, who occupy a
corner in every street, and abound in all the open
squares of the city and suburbs.

TAKING A PETITION INTO THE CITY.

•
It often occurs that requests are made by the fo-
reigners which are contrary to the interests of the
hong merchants. Through the members of the Co-
hong, all petitions should, according to law, be
transmitted to the governor, but when a favour is
desired wiiich is productive of evil or inconveni-
ence to them, they of course endeavour to avoid
the office of presenting it, and in some cases posi*
tively refuse to do so. Under these circumstances,
it become^ necessary for the petitioners to go them-
selves to the eity gates, to enter and surprise the
guard, and to remain within the walls until an ofiBcer
of becoming rank arrives to receive the document,
and transmit it to the proper authority. Great se-
crecy is required when such a measure is under
consideration, as the slightest hint of an intention
of the kind* would instantly be reported, for the sys-
tem of domestic espionage imperfect, and discovery
inevitable, without this precaution. The servants
about the houses are all paid spies of government,
or are bound in some way to communicate to the
magistrates any suspicious circumstance which may

118 TAKXNa A PETITION INTO THE CXTT.

occur. The members of these storming partieSy^A
they are facetiously called, generally readezvous in
one of the hongs or warehouses near the south
gate, through which the attempt is made. The
narrowness of the streets enable them to prevent
the passage of any of the natives, to carry infor-
mation, and by proceeding very quickly, and in si-
lence, seldom fail in effecting an entrance.

The pusillanimity of the soldiers stationed as
guards at the city gates, renders an attack a safe
and positively ridiculous adventure, for the confu-
sion, cries, and loud but ineffectual remonstrances
of the natives, are only calculated to expite laugh-
ter and ridicule, instead of inspiring fear.

Orders are given to punish foreigners severely
who presume to intrude themselves within the for-
bidden limits, but experience has taught us that no-
thing is to be feared in insisting on an entrance,
when backed by a reasonable demand. Sixteen
persons, of whom I was one, forced a passage with
very little trouble, although opposed by a large
guard, well j^rmed, and fully justified in y sing force
to repel us. Their fears, however, were sufficient
to prevent an effectual resistance, and the gate was
stormed and carried in the most decisive manner.
4-fter remaining quartered within the gate for
some time, the proper officer arrived, and the peti-
tion was delivered into his hands. A good deal of
noise and blustering is frequently to be contended
with, but these vapouring gentlemen seldom pro-
ceed further than words and silly menaces^ which

LITERATURE — HISTORY — iPICTION. 119

are known to be absurd, and as such, entirely dis-
regarded. Upon another occasion we experienced
the same reception.

LITERATURE— HISTORY-^FICTION.

The labours of some" ingenious Orientalists have
given Qs of late years a considerable insight of Chi-
nese literature. So great a length of time, and such
uninterrupted application are indispensable in the
study of the Chinese language, that few have been
encouraged to pursue it, and most of those who
have made a reputable progress, have deserted it at
the period when the harvest of their perseverance
was about to be gathered. Dr. Morrison, the inter-
preter to the English East India Company, and M.
Abel Remusat, of Paris, are now perhaps the first
Chinese scholars living. M. Remusat has distin-
guished himself by his translations and works re-
lating to China, and the Dictionary of Morrison is
a monument of patient labour and acute philologi-
cal research, which will rank its author among the
most celebrated lexicographers. No one who is un-
acquainted with the theory of the Chinese language
and the imperfections of previous works on the
subject, can form any idea of the task of compiling
a dictionary such as Dr. Morrison*s. Each article,
when necessary, is illustrated by copious explana-
tory and critical notes from the most approved na-
tive authors, translated with great care, and the

120 LITERATURE HISTORY ^FICTION.

original text added. In addition to this, the various
^t forms of the characters are given with great fide-

lity. The work is divided into a Chinese and Eng-
lish and an English and Chinese Dictionary, and a
;' volume of tahles of characters, &c. The work was

published by the East India Company at Macao, at
an enormous expense, and copies of it are now very
i difficult to procure, although it is stated that the

major portion of the edition is lying in the Com-
pany's warehouse in London. To return to the
subject of Chinese literature. Their works of sci-
ence have been mentioned, and the department of
history also touched up6n. With. regard to their
works of fiction, they are decidedly inferior in in-
terest and variety to other Oriental romances.
There is generally too much of the cool, sedate
manner of the nation about them, and in cases where
this artificial manner is dispensed with, they too
frequently descend to coarseness and indecency.
This objection is also made very properly to most
of their dramatic entertainments, which are in some
cases very offensive, and quite unworthy of the pre-
tensions to a high degree of civilization in , which
the Chinese indulge. There is none of that de-
lightful poetical feeling or romance about the Chi-
nese novels which distinguishes the Persian or
Hindu works of fiction, and independently of pecu-
liar charms of style, there is little in the incidents
to excite our curiosity or fix our attention. The
moral sentiments of the Chinese sages, when strip-
ped of the illusive charms with which they have

XITERATURB — HISTORY — FICTION. 121

been decorated by the Jesuits^ present us with no-
thing but dull and dry sentences of morality, alike
undistinguished for depth of thought or originality
of manner. .

As this assertion may be considered a bold one,
unsupported by proofs, the admirers of Confucian
wisdom will pardon the insertion of the following
quotations.

'* Checj (that is Confucius,) says, a cornered
vessel without its comers, how is it a cornered
vessel? how is it indeed a cornered vessel?^'

"iVim Yaou says, does Hoo-chee approve of
the present ruler of Wye? Chee Kong, (Confucius,)
replied, humph! I must inquire."

" Chee being upon a river, says, in this manner
does the river perpetually flow. It stays not day
or night."

^^ The stable was on fire, Chee coming from the
palace, says, 'are the men injured?' He did not
inquire respecting the horses."

" Onan-in and Qui-loo one day ministering to
CAce, he said, why do not each of you mention
his particular desire? Qui-loo wys, I wish for a
carriage and horses, robes light and beautiful, then
lending to a friend, if he spoil them, I would not
be angry. Ghan-in says, my desire is neither to
publish my virtues, nor to boast of my labours.
Qui-loo says, I wish to hear Cheeks desire. It is,
that the aged be placed in a state of ease, that
friends be faithful to each other, and orphans
nourished,"

11

122 THE ART OF PBINTIN6.

The above is from Mr. Marsh man's translation
of the works of Confucius, and will give a good
idea of the wisdom, and "laconic sublimity,^' so
highly lauded by the Jesuit missionaries.

The style of the Chinese historians is less excep-
tionable, but nevertheless does not accord with our
ideas of the manner in which historical events
should be recorded. The San-kwo-che, a history
of the Empire, wl^n divided into three kingdoms,
each governed by a Monarch independent of the
others, is considered by the natives, as a model of
historical style, and quoted upon all occasions^ as a
standard of elegant language and perspicuity.

Those who study the Chinese language, in hopes
of being recompensed for the prodigious labour
which it requires, by discoveries in its history, or
charms in its lighter literature, overlooked by their
predecessors, will be disappointed. As a commer-
cial end, the Chinese is unquestionably useful, but
as an accomplishment by no means equal in yalue
to the time which must be expended in its ac-
quirement

THE ART OP PRINTING.

The means in use among the Chinese for pro-
ducing an impression of letters, appear to be nearly
the same with those invented in the infancy of the
art Blocks of hard wood, or masses of metal

TH£ ABT ov jphhttino. 123

forming a kind of stereotype, are printed from, by
a very simple and expeditious process, and solely
by manual labour, as presses for the purpose arc
entirely unknown. The Canton Gazette, a kind
of court journal of appointments, arrivals, and de-
partures, is one of the few publications which are
printed from moveable types. The blocks which
are mostly used for engraving these stereotypes
upon, are made of a hard and well-seasoned wood,
divided into slabs, in the direction of the grain.
The subject to be engraved is carefully written or
drawn on thin paper, and pasted reversed upon the
board, the wood is then cut from around the char-
acters, and the letters remain in low relief. Much
care is used in adjusting the written pattern, as it
is not possible to rectify a mistake on wood, as on
copper or other metal. The cost of engraving de-
pends entirely on the size and delicacy of the let-
ter, the price increasing in proportion to the small-
ness of the type. The works written in theil/an-
ichoo Tartar language, are sometimes beautifully
executed, and I now have in my possession, reli-
gious works of the Fuh sect, containing very curi-
ous and elaborate specimens of wood engraving,
both in the letter press, and illustrations. The
equipments of a printer are very simple and cheap,
and the operations less complicated than almost
any other mechanical process. The board or slab
of wood is placed on a table before the workman,
and a pile of dry paper cut to the proper size, at
his side, when, with a rude bamboo bush, a coating of

124 THE ART CW PRIimifa.

liquid Indian ink is put upon it, a sheet of paper is
then placed on the top, and the impression com-
pleted by rubbing it over once or twice with a
kind of vegetable fibre. The sheet is then lifted
off, and the process repeated with the next. The
paper used, is very thin, and is only printed on
one side, the sheet is folded with the blank side in
contact, and the two edges are bound into the back
of the book, making it resemble a volume, the
leaves of which are uncut, the paging, &c. is on
the external margin. - In this simple manner, all
books and engravings on wood s^re printed, and a
skilful workman is able to produce the impressions
with as much celerity as our own, with the use of
the press. Adjoining the room in which the print-
ing is performed, is another, filled with racks, or
open cases, on which the blocks are arranged in
regular order. Every block contains matter for
four pages, so that the number, and bulk of the set
composing a voluminous work, is very great.
Works of minor consequence, are generally ex-
ecuted in a flimsy and imperfect manner, the print-
ing of some, being very indifferent at first, and
nearly unintelligible 'by the time a full edition has
been taken off. The price of books is low, and
there are numerous book shops and stalls in all the
principal streets. The binding is very different
from our own, the cover being merely soft paper,
and the title carefully written on the edge of the
bottom leaves. Five or six volumes are enclosed
in a pasteboard case^^ and the books arranged oa

TBS ABT OF FBINTINO. 125

shelves, so as to present the titles to the front.
Spurious editions are said to be very common, and
I have never discovered that there was any pro-
tection of the copyright by law, consequently,
numerous incomplete copies of the original are cir-
culated.

Works are sometimes met with, the letters of
which are white on a black ground, the characters
being cut as in the copperplate engraving, below the
surface. These are in most cases specimens of the
various kinds of writing, intended as copies to
write from, as well as some school books, which I
have occasionally met with. Of these, the covers
were generally made of wood.

It is related, that the celebrated Emperor, JSTang--
heCy had large quantities of types cast in copper,
but during a scarcity of coin, K^'^n hmgy (the Em-
peror, who reigned at the time of Lord Macart-
ney's Embassy to China,) ordered them to be
melted down. At a subsequent period, he re-
gretted having done so, and to repair the loss in a
measure, caused two hundred and fifty thousand
wooden types to be engraved.

The page of wooden type is Hwo-pan or hoW"
tzepan. This expression being deemed inelegant,
KS^n hing changed the appellation to Tseu chin,
" congregated pearls.'^ Dtjring the Sur^ dynasty,
long previous to the Tartar conquest, types are
said to have been made of masses of baked clay.

IV

126 HELATIONS BETWEEN THE

Relations between the Ancient EarPTiANs
AND Chinese.

. The supposition of De Guignes, that the Chinese
were, at a very remote period, a colony which left
Egypt, and peopled China, it is true is rather a bold
one, but from the curious resemblance which is
found to exist between the 9ymbolic writing of
the early Chinese, and some of the hieroglyphics
which decorate the remains of antiquity discovered
in Egypt, the hypothesis is not so wild as might at
first be imagined. " The Chinese receive it as an
undoubted fact, that in high antiquity, knotted
cords were made use of to signify the intention of
the rulers, and to be to a certain extent the signs of
ideas. It is said, that in the reign of Hwang-te,
the third from Ftxh-he^ a person called Ts^hang-
h'^9 observing the appearance of a certain constel-
lation, the marks on the shell of a turtle, and the
impression of a horse's foot, first conceived the
idea of forming letters.'^* In this manner the na-
tives account for the origin of a written character,
which in the early stage of the art, consisted in rude
delineations or symbols expressive of objects or
ideas. The hieroglyphic characters of the Egyp-
tians are supposed to be their earyest records, and

* Introduction to. Morrison's Chinese Bictionaty, VoL I*
Part I. p. 1.

ANCIENT EGYPTIANS AND CHINESE. 127

from the application of the same symbols to similar
objects by the Chinese, it is not unfair to conclude,
that in a more advanced state of knowledge on this
subject, it may be effectually made use of in esta-
blishing the fact of the Chinese Egyptian origin.
It is only intended here to give a few examples
which occuri:ed while commencing the study of
the Chinesq language, examples which are too re-
markable to omit, and which may tempt some one
better qualified, to prosecute the inquiry further.

Those which follow are not all precisely similar
to the Egyptian, but suflBciently so to allow a rea-
sonable suspicion that they are of identical origin

Dr. Morrison, in his Chinese Dictionary, gives
in the introduction various memoranda relative to
the gradual progress of the language, and from, the
examples of the ancient character to be found in
that very curious and learned woi^k, I have select-
ed a few which appear specially applicable to the
illustration of the subject in question.

The symbol made use of in the earliest Chinese
records to denote a buffalo or cow, is a rude deli-
neation of the animal, very little different from the
same observed on the Egyptian monuments.

Neu, a woman, CS is thus represented, and

ff

•the character ^T^ Tsze^ a boy or child, is a very

128 BSLATIOKS BETWEEN THE

good imitation, viz.

r ^

jL ^O^^ These four forms are all

emblematic of the same.

The character Tsze has various modifications of
meaning, but the relations are intimate; thus, it
means progeny, a child, people, a son, or heir, &c.

In the fifth volume of Dr. Clarke's Travels, there
is a plate of " an entire Hieroglyphical Tablet, as
found at Sais." The doctor attempts an explana-
tion of some of the symbols, several of which are si-
milar to the Chinese, and others approximate very

nearly. No 37 ( ^ J is said to be the hieroglyphic
for the sun; a similar one f • J is used in the an-
tique Chinese writing. No 1 "^37 is supposed
by Dr. Clarke also to express the sun, but from the
resemblance to the character ))] ywe, the moon,

is probably the symbol for that luminary. On the
Egyptian relic above noticed, there is represent-

ANCIENT EGYPTIANS AND CHINESE. 129

ed a hieroglyphic, which is interpreted water,
^^^^^^^ it resembles the Chinese, written thus,

^^^ the lines being over each other instead of

continuous.

The actual meaning is perhaps different, and may
possibly mean a range of hills from its resemblance

to ^^^^ shatiy a hill, or range of hiUs.

Another curious circumstance is observable. The
celebrated winged globe of the Egyptiians, is found
very little altered among the Chinese, as an orna-
ment similarly used, as over doors, tombs, &c.

The Egtptiait. Thu Chinese.

Many other figures might be given to illustrate
the apparent aflSnity which exists between the pri-
mitive languages of these two very distant nations.
I give the following as specimens of the construction
of character, and hope that some one more deeply
versed in philological lore, may be induced to pro-
secute the inquiry in such a manner as to elicit
more curious and satisfactory results.

130 RELATIONS BETWEEN THE

pC Ch^hueriy to connect, as beads upon a string,
was originally represented by a symbol represent-
ing beads thas strung, #k A horse was thus re-

''^"

presented, jf-'Tjv *^ present the figure is writ-
ten in this manner, b^ ma, Chow^ a boat, yue,

the moon, and many others might be adduced, as
literal as the preceding. The characters of the an«
cient Chinese, were written indifferently from right
to left, or vice versOy or in perpendicular lines, the
arrangement depending very much on the shape of
the object upon which they were inscribed.*

The discoveries of Dr. Young, and Mr. Cham-
pollion bid fair to give us ere long a clue by which
all the mysteries of the Egyptian hieroglyphics
may be unravelled, and the identity of the Chi-
nese and Egyptians satisfactorily proved or finally
contradicted.

The Marquis Spineto has argued strongly in
favour of these relations, and quotes numerous ex-

• The manuscripU of the ancient Chinese and Egyptians
trere always written in perpendicular lines.

ANCIENT EaTPTIANS AND CHINESE. 131

amples of affinity from the work of Martinus Mar-
tinius, to prove the plausibility of the supposition,
but the figures which he has given in his " Lec-
tures on Egyptian Hieroglyphics/'* are not strictly
correct in some instances, as he gives comparative-
ly antique figures, as examples of the modern Chi-
nese character. To those at all conversant with
the subject, this will be apparent, on inspecting his
plate of examples.

While labouring to prove that China was, at a
very remote period, peopled by an Egyptian
colony, and adducing the similarities of their pri-
mitive signs or hieroglyphics, to prove the same,
he nevertheless says, " I might extend these obser-
vations to a greater length, and produce more in-
stances to prove, by numerous examples, that ori-
ginally the figure of the object was employed by
all nations of the world, to express the same ob-
ject, and, that to such figure, each nation gave a
sound which expressed the image, and though this
sound might be, and in some instances was, very
different from that which was altered by other na-
tions, yet they had all the same signification, that
is, they all meant to express the same object.*'
Now, this would go to prove nothing which could
particularly apply to relations between China and
Egypt, any further than that all nations originally

• Lecture 8th, p. 270. Lectures on the Elements of
meroglyphics, and Egyptian Antiquities, by the Marquis
Spineto, Deputy Professor of Modem History, in the Univer-
sity of Cambridge, 1829.

192 RELATIONS^ &C.

wrote the same emblematic language, consequent-
ly, as this language was the only one at the time of
the dispersion of nations, it necessarily follows^
that it was common to all, and the relations be-
tween Egypt and any other ancient nation, the
Mexicans for example, were just the «ame, as that
between the Chinese and Egyptians.

In the Dictionary of De Guignes, and also in
that more perfect and extensive work of Dr. Mor-
rison, in every practicable instance, the ancient
symbols, and the intermediate forms between them
and the modern are given, exhibiting the gradual
change from simple symbols, to arbitrary marks,
less difficult to form, and equivalent in signification.
The composition of characters is similar to the
Egyptian, and a curious example is that which
signifies in Chinese, hatch eggs. The ancient
Fdo to hatch, was a symbol, representing a child,
or offspring under the claws of a bird, expressive
of the act of incubation, and meaning literally, to
hatch, or breed up.

A very great difierence is ojbservable in the
drawing and execution of the Egyptian hierogly-
phics, and the symbolic figures of China, the for-
mer exceeding the latter, not only in distinctness,
but in correctness and elegance of execution. *

• To those who may be anxious to investigate this subject,
the following works are recommended. In Chinese, Dr.
Morrison's Dictionary, De Guignes' Dictionary, and the Na-
tive Dictionaries of the ancient or seal characters. On the
subject of Egyptian hieroglyphics, the works of the Marquis

,>&^^^A

^j^^::::

"'^ Mt*^'-

(Junese Maid Servdnl.

woMEir. 133

Were this then the case, we should doubtless
find among other Indian nations of probably equal
antiquity, similar symbolic writings, bearing near
resemblance to the Egyptian and Chinese. This,
however, we have no certain knowledge of, al-
though the pretensions of some neighbouring na-
tions to extraordinary antiquity, are equal to those
of China.

WOMEN.

Females in China do not hold that rapk,.or
enjoy those privileges which in more cultivated
nations, are conceived to be their due. The Chinese
women are generally very ignorant, their instruc-
tions being principally in domestic affairs. A
learned lady is so uncommon, that her attainment^
are a theme of admiration, she is immortalized in
odes, and her fair resemblance magnificently illu-
minated on fans, screens, &c. for the admiration of
posterity* The poorer classes are engaged in vari-
ous menial offices, while those of rank employ
their time in music, smoking^ and other acffoni'
plishments, A lady of fashion is of course sup-
posed guiltless of any manual labour, and conse-
quently, the nails are permitted to acquire an enor-

SpinetD» of Spohn, ChampolHon, and the ** Hudimenta Hiero-
g^hkesy'' of Sey&rtb> are recommended.
12

134 WOMEK.

mous length, particularly that of the little finger.
These ladies smoke much^ and their pipes, usually
formed of slender bamboos, the boWl of silver, or
white copper, and mouth-piece of amber, or valua-
ble stone, are in many instances singularly elegant*
The pieces of bamboo used for the stems, are
valuable according to the regularity and beauty of
the wood, the ^enness of the joints, and clearness
of the bore. For those in which these various ex-
cellencies are in great perfection, high prices are
given.

Music is a favourite recreation, and guitars of
various kinds, with other musical instruments of
extr^iordinary shape and tone, are indispensable ap-
purtenances to the b(Midoir of a Chinese belle. In
such trifling employments, the life of these im-
prisoned beauties glides away with little variation,
while that of the lower classes, is one perpetual
scene of labour and exposure. They perform not
only all those offices which are assigned to them in
other countries, but on them and their children
principally, devolves the task of navigating the
multitudes of small boats which cover the Chinese
rivers. They are the moving power of these float-
ing houses, for such in fact they are, born and dy-
ing in them, never living on shore, and possessing
nothing but their boats and the contents. The
women, from the continual exposure to sun and
wind, become very dark, lose all that soft list-
lessness of expression, and delicacy of form^ for
which the higher classes are distinguished, and re-

WOMSN. 135

«emble io their.exterior another people. They ac-
quire masculme strength and manners, and from
early habit become perfectly inured to the labori*
ous oceupatioi^ of rowing or sculling the heavy
boats in which they live.

Women of the poorer classes, show themselves
without the least reserve in all public places, but
no female whose means permit it, ever goes abroad
except in a palankeen or sedan chair, most of
which are furnished with curtains, which effectual-
ly conceal the occupant. In fact, so few of the
Chinese women have any pretensions to personal
beauty^ according to our idea of it, and those who
have, are so covered with paint, tliat further than
as objects of curiosity, thex have few attractions
for a foreign eye. The hair is. always remarkably
neat, generally very long, and abundant, and
dressed in a most elaborate manner, -ornamented
with gold or silver bodkins, and flowers, such as
the Indian jsssmine, which are delightfully frag-
rant, and disposed with much taste and effect
. Those who are blessed with the celebrated small
feet,* invariably outi:ank tha other females of the
family, who are unhappy enough to have their ex-
tremities flourishing in a state of nature. The][cus-
tom of compressing the feet, which has so long
been supposed to originate in the jealousy of Chi-
nese husbands, is. in reality, but in imitation of a

• CsUed by the Chineie* tbe ^ Qolden Hlies!'*

136 WOMEN.

certain queen of Ghina^* who, being ordered to
bind' up her feet in the smallest possible compass,
to please the faney of her lord, was of course, im-
mediately imitated by the ladies of her court, and
it thus became a standing cixstom.

The excess to which the compression is carried
by many, is perfectly wonderfel. Some of the fe-
males are so mutilated by this horrid custom, as to
be unable to walk any considerable distance, and
when compelled to make the efi(»rt, which is pain-
ful and difficult, they find a stick, or the shoulder
of a servant maid, a necessary support.

The revulsion of blood to the feet, when the
hiindages,i' which confine the limb are removed,
is said to be perfectly insupportable; and no less
painful is the unnatural confinement of the grow-
ing limbs of young children, who suflfer this inhu-
man torture for the sake of fashion. We are in-
formed, that it is necessary to watch them closely
during growth, as the pain they endure from the
bandages, frequently induces them, when unob-
served, to tear them off, in order to obtain* relief.
A sister who possesses a ^pair of these miserable
looking feet, enjoys, as we have observed above, a
higher rank in the family, in consideration of such

• During the period that this vast empire was divided into
many petty states, governed by Kings.

t The tales of iron 'shoes being employed in compressing
the feet, are mere fictions. Bandages very similar to those dT
surgeons, are the only means used for the purpose.

WOMJBJJ. 137

insignia of fashionable pre-eminence. The effect of
the process is found to be a premature appearance
of age, and decrepitude, which is materially aided
by marriage, contracted at a very early age.
Those whose feet have not been subjected to this
operation, are observed to fail sooner, it is true,
than the females of temperate climates, but preserve
their youthful appearance long after the charms of
their envied companions are faded. *^

The size of these curious feet varies from four
inches to the usual length of the female foot, as in
eome, from carelessness, they have no impediment
presented to their growing in length, and are only
very much compressed. Those on which the
bandaging has been carefully performed, are scarce-
ly any longer than when first confined. The toes
are turned under the sole, and the point of the foot
is terminated by the great toe, which alone' pre-
serves a resemblance to the original form.

Numbers of poor women, who have been re-
duced in circumstances, are hourly observed in the
dtreet% lamed and tormented, by these only remain-
ing badges of their former rank, and many of them
scarcely covered, and all suffering from the accu-
mulated miseries of want and deformity. ^

We have heard Chinese fathers speak of this
custom in terms of reprehension, but urged the
prevalence of the custom, and the ridicule to which
those who neglect it are exposed, as an excuse for
its continuance.

12*

138 CHILBHHK-

CHILDREN.

The children of the lower classes are most
healthful; vigorous, and interesting little vaga-
bonds. The etiquette and ceremonial observance
which is exacted from those of the nobility and
gentry, has not reached them, and they are a lively
and cheerful contrast to the artificial and sedate
beings who are drilled almost from their bii^th, ac-
cording to ideas of the strictest propriety of con-
duct and deportment. In the fields, or on board
the swarms of boats, every where encountered,
mere infants are observed rendering material as-
sistance to their parents in the daily labours. A
brother and sister may be seen, sculling a boat ra-
pidly, with ,an oar so large that they would be sup-
posed barely capable of moving, or a boy travel-
ling oflf under a burden suspended at the extremi-
ties of aJKamboo, which is to all appearapce heavy
enough to crush him. In this manner, inured to
labour from the tenderest years, the children be-
come strong, and in time capable of work far be-
yond the power of others of their age. Their food
and clothing is necessarily of the coarsest kind, and
the deck of a boat or floor covered by a mat is their
usual bed. The children of the rich are pale and
delicate in comparison to these little savages, and
the eflfect of their courtly drilling is observable in
all their actions. Little fellows of five or six years

H.W

Ou/iese Quldmi

CHILDREN. 139

of age^ when arrayed in the full costume of cere-
mony, are most consummately ridiculous. The
long loose robes, the cap with the button denoting
the rank of the wearer, crowning the top of it,
black satin boots with the edges of the soles snow-
white, and the hair neatly plaited hanging down
the back in a long cue, the end interwoven with
a coloured silk cord, together with an immoveable
gravity, render these little magnificos very amus-
ing to a stranger, and serve to remind him strongly
of the ridiculous mode in which the children are
represented in old Dutch and English prints of the
early part of the eighteenth century.

In Canton, however, no one is seen imitating
any actions of his elders, except such as are ap-
proved and warranted by good breeding, no riding
upon sticks, or any other similar enormities daily
committed by European children, without the least
restraint; od the contrary, they vie with each other
in the dignified management of the fan, or in the
evolutions of a complicated salute. In consequence
of this education, and the perpetual restraint under
which they are kept, they grow up ceremonious,
artificial, and unfeeling, therefore, those who con-
demn the nation generally for their cold and un-
feeling dispositions, should make due allowances
for the efiect of their peculiar education. The
growth of the hair is an object of much care, and
it is usual to keep the heads of very young chil-
dren close shaved, in order to ensure its strength
and abundance when suffered at last to grow. Two

140 CHZN£S£ CHARACTER.

patches of hair arc cultivated oa each side of the
head for some time previous to the commencement
of the regular cue from the crown^ and theae are
plaited with silk strings, and sticking out stiffly
from each side of the head, resemble a pair of
straight horns.

CHINESE CHARACTER.

It is difficulty and perhaps unfair, to estimate the
character of the Chinese nation from the specimens
which are presented to the observation in Canton.
The inhabitants of large cities, taken en masse ysxe
usually less amiable and less free from vice than
those inhabiting the country and small towns or
villages; and this city, from being the seat of fo-
reign trade, is filled with a larger number of de-
signing and vicious persons than almost any other.
The dissolute character of Canton, is a proverb in
China, and the cause is, with genuine Chinese du-
plicity and falsehood, attributed to the foreigners
who reside there. For myself I decline giving a
decided opinion on the subject of the natioual cha-
racter, as I cannot imagine that my experience of
this people has been sufficiently various and exten-
sive to permit me to do so honestly. Dr. Mor-
rison, who has resided for many years in China,
and who, from accompanying the last British £m-
Jhassy to the court of Pekixx, has eiyoyed rare qp-

icrss

Vi tl li

Sen^anl:

HSWY3E3r

CHINESE CHARACTER. 141

portunities of making the closest observations rela*
tive to the inhabitants of this singular country,
gives the following flattering character of the na-
tion: —

- " When interest or fear do not dictate a diflTer-
ent course, they (the Chinese) are to strangers^
haughty, insolent, fraudulent, and inhospitable, A
merchant will flatter a foreign devil, (as they ex-
press it,) when he has something to gain from him 5
then he can be servile enough, particularly if he is
not seen by one of his own countrymen, for the
presence of a menial servant of his own nation will
make him more on his guard in yielding his fan-
cied superiority."

'^ Few instances of gratitude or attachment have
occurred on the part of servants to their European
masters.'' "The Chinese are generally selfish,
cold-blooded, and inhuman." Again he says,
** specious, but insincere, jealous, envious, and dis-
trustful in a high degree."*

The reverend gentleman has left himself but lit-
tle room for the display of that charity, which it is
presumed he has for so unfortunate a people, for
syirely it is a serious misfortune to be afiiicted with
such a catalogue of vices of the worst description.
Strong prejudice against China evidently afiects the
pen of the writer, for there is no saving clause, no
exception, all are condemned in the most sweeping
manner, and the nation pronounced- utterly worth-

• Vide Morrifion's View of China.

142 AKCIENT HISTOKT AKD TBADITIOKSU

leas and bad. Strangers resident at Canton for a
short time invariably depart with a most unfayour-
able opinion of the nativeSy and in fact there is lit-
tle in the inhabitants of this city calculated to ex-
cite admiratioHy but that the anathema which may
be justly fulminated against the people of one city,
Is really deserved by the nation generally, I can-
not admit. Among the Chinese themselves, the
natives of Canton are proverbial for their i)ad cha-
racter, all ef which, as I have observed above, is
attributed to the contaminating influence of the fo-
reign residents.

ANCIENT HISTORY AND TRADITIONS.

The ancient history is much involved in obscu-
rity, and the earliest traditions which have been
preserved, bear such marks of falsehood and exag-
geration, as to throw discredit on the ancient annals
of the empire. Independently of that remote an-
tiquity which is boasted of by the historians during
a period of many thousand years before our first
records, the fictions which distort the accQunt of
that portion of the Chinese hi^ory, where a pro-
bability of truth might exist, have tended to cause
the historical accounts of their writers to be re-
ceived with much suspicion and distrust For in-
stance, when we read the account of Confucius,
who, in comparison with some of their heroes of

ANCIENT BISTORT ANt) TRABITIONS. 143

luitiquitj, 18 quite a modern personage; we are
amused at the eictraordioAry description which is
given of him with great gravity and seriousness^
but confirmed in our disbelief of the miraculous
worthies of whom the inhabitants of the <^ centrd
country*'* are so proud. In relation lo the pre*
tended antiquity of their literature, it is remarked
by Mr. Davi^, in his " Chinese Moral Maxims,'*
that ^^ the absurd fables related in Chinese books of
ancient history, tell rcty much against their fide-
lity, and ^iflbrd a strong antidote to the implicit be*
lief witihi6?hich the Jesuitical accounts of Chinese
antiquity have been, listened to* In fact, their most
ancient hisforical work, (the Chun-isetOy of Con*
fuciu8>) is not older than Herodotus, and not so
old as Homer's poemsf." They «tate their country
to have e^cisted many ftousands of years before the
earliest traditions of other nationn, and the reigns
€ii the prtmltive mmiarchs to have beeu very much
after the mann^ of Methuselah. Antiquity of ori-
gin is not the cmly point in which this modest peo*
pie assert their pre»eminence, but also in most use-
ful arts and inventions, fer instance, that of gun-'
powder^ which they assert was made in China, cen-
tttpies before it was known in literope. The intro-
duction of vaccination was principally promoted
by AlexMidier Pea£SQ% Ssq* Senior Sorgecm to the

.. * T^ l^iiinese ei^l tibeir cfmntty Chmg4fi9^ "t]>e cev(M
countiy," stating that it is the centre of the earth, and that
other nations are Jdisposed around it An admirable exumple
cfth^ extraordinary national vamty.

144 ANTIQUES.

East India Company in China. In consequence of
his benevolent exertions, the antidote to that ter-
rific scourge, the small-pox, was successfully in-
troduced, and the prejudices of the natives against
what they cohsidered a foreign innovation over-
come- Chinese physicians have been made ac-
quainted with the process of vaccination, and it is
generally adopted in Canton, and gradually be-
coming popular in the other provinces. No sooner
had vaccination assumed a firm position in the good
opinion of the natives, than one of the Chinese
practitioners who had been the first instructed in
the method of applying the vaccine matter, pub-
lished a work in his native language^ in which he
proved very much to his own, and his readers sa-
tisfaction, that vaccination was a very old Chinese
custom, which had only been revived by the fo-
reign physicians, and that in reality the praise
which so great a discovery deserved, was due to
the sages of China, and not to ignorant and foreign
barbarians.

ANTIQUES.

Thsb£ is a very prevalent taste for' relics and
x^rities among the higher classes, and a room des-
titute of some curiosity of this kind in the houses
of the opulent, is of rare occurrence. Vases of an*
cient China, and old copper sacrificing vessels,

AimWBi. 145

flanked by curiously distorted growths of wood, or
pebbles of singular form, are almost always the de-
corations of one or more tables, in a Chinese cham-
ber. They have also a great passion for antique au-
tographs, or original drawings and sketches from the
hands of distinguished individuals. Some of these
are very spirited, and the bamboo plant is an. indis-
pensable subject, the efiect of it being admirably
well given by spirited strokes of the common writ-
ing pencil. The prices which are given for some
of these valued drawings, vie with those brought
by old books and manuscripts in Europe.

Frauds of the most ingenious description are re-
sorted to by the dealers in these matters, and co-
pies are made and sold for originals, to the igno-
rant and unwary, to detect which great practice
and experience is very necessary. Persons are
found in Canton and other large cities, who are re-
gularly engaged in casting copies of bronze and
copper figures, from old metal, which they collect
for the purpose. These specimens are then corrod-
ed by acids, and buried in the earth for some time,
by which they aoquire a false appearance of age,
and unless carefully scrutinized, are undistinguish-
able froin genuine relics of the same kind. They
are detected on close inspection, and always ..lie-
trayed by the green rust, whieh in bronze articles
of undoubted age, is almost as liiard and close as the
metal itself^ while in the spuri&us articles it yields
without difficulty to the knife. This test is appli-
cable to coins and medals, which, are prized as ra-
13

146 ANTIQUES.

lilies, though in an inferior degree. The bankers
and money-changers reserve all old coins^ and have
constantly great numbers for sale, the prices of
which are regulated according to the antiquity of
the date, and preservation of the specimen.

The coins and medals of China are all casty the
matrix being fine sand, consequently the impres-
sions are never finely cut, and the surface always
rough. Children are frequently seen with strings of
medals suspended from their necks^ as charms or
preventives against evil spirits or accident. The
rage for fragments of stone to which chance has
given the forms of fruit oc animals in a remote de-
gree, is another, which is indulged in to a ridicu-
lous extent

Persons who collect vegetable monstrosities, and
polish them, adding at the same time such little
aids as may be required, to complete resemblances
to men or animals, obtain large sums for such as
are really curious by nature, and prices for others,
according to their grotesque forms, which have
been completed by art, far beyond our estimates of
iheir value.

The locality of these oddities is another charm,
and a fragment of wood in which a quaint resem-
blance may be traced, brought from the tomb of
Confucius, would be valued by a Chinese connois-
seur, in the same ratio [as we should any similar
curiosity from a spot as venerated for the associa-
tions connected with it

The effect of such curiosities is much heightened

ANTIQUES. 147

by the neatness and care with which they are pre-
served. Jt is usual to place each specimen on a
carved stand of dark wood, and where ornaments
of this kind are in pairs, a centre piece is usually
chosen, as near in resemblance and quality as may
be, and the whole is disposed of ^s a set. For in-
stance, an ancient copper censer, for burning sandal
y^ood, or odoriferous matches, and a pair of jars of
the same material, constitute the most frequent de-
coration of the oratories or small temples, which
are placed at the entrance of houses, and in the
chambers.

The skill displayed in casting these works is de-
serving of notice, some of them being objects of
great interest from their beautiful ornaments and
peculiar forms. This branch of art is now less cul-
tivated than formerly, and the modern imitations
are certainly much inferior to those of former
times.

The dealers endeavour to imitate the elegance of
the old manufactures by clumsy additions to the
modem, but the imposture is easily detected. Few
of these men have the slightest pretensions to re-
putation, and in consequence exert their ingenuity
to overreach and delude those who are unacquaint-
ed with their deceptions. They lie in the most ex-
traordinary and useless manner, the enormous impro-
bability of their tales being sure to detect them. As
an example, I mention an anecdote of one of these
people, with whom I had frequently occasion to deal.
Among other really interesting antiquities in his

148 ANTIQUES.

shop^ I observed a tea*pot of a peculiar form, of
old brass, and on refusing to purchase it at4he very
high price demanded for it, the proprietor assailed
me with a torrent of asseverations of its antiquity,
and after exhausting every assurance and declara-
tion which he could muster to confirm his veracity,
be finished by swearing to me in the most earnest
manner, that it was at the very least an hundred
thousand years old ! Whereupon I immediately de-
clared that it must be unsound after so long a pe-
riod of service, and walked off, leaving the vender
in despair. Damaged specimens are very artfully
mended, and a vase dashed into twenty pieces rises-
perfect and entire from the hands of these resur-
rectionists of fmclured crockery*

The specimens of antique China wiiich I have
met with, were sometimes remarkable for the
beauty of the ware, and elegance o^ form, 'though
in some cases a vessel of ungraceful shape and very
uninviting appearance, was valued far beyond the pre-
ceding, from the circumstance of its havingbeenlong
in possession of a distinguished person. The white
flower jars with small necks whiok'are frequently
met with, are certainly very beautiful; they are en-
tirely without colours, and the only embellishment
is a figure prettily modelled, of a lizard or dragon
encircling the neck. There is a vulgar idea that
these vases have the property of preserving flowers
which are placed in them fresh and blooming for a
considerable time, while, in the imitations, they
fade immediately. The old China is not so often

ASTBONOMT, KAViaATION, &.C. 149

met with for sale in Canton as might be supposed,
but a gi:eat quantity of vessels of equivocal age and
origin^ are to be found in the shop of every dealer in
curiosities. The price is always high, and it is not
improbable that much old China mig)it be purchas-*
ed in Europe, which would fetch a higher price and
enjoy a greater estimation, in the country from
whence it was originally imported.

A very imperfect knowledge of minerals, is the
cause of many productions of the. earth being con-
sidered as /tm naturse, especially such as the dea-
dritie figures of oxide of iron on sandstone, &c. Re-
markable fossils also claim a portion of admiration,
but whether the process by which the change hasr
taken place, i? accounted for by them in any ra^
tional manner, I am unal^le to say. If cabinets of
minerals exist at all in China, they are in the hands
of professional persons almost entirely; for although
I have seen fine cabinets of antiquities in the pos-
session of merchants and others, I never observed
either a cabinet of minerals or shells.

ASTRONOMY, NAVIGATION, &c.

From the Jesuit missionaries, almost all the cor-
rect ideas relative to the motions of the heavenly
bodies, which are now published in Chinese works,
have been derived. The systems of astronomy and
of geography, in vogue previous to the missions^
13*

150 ASTRONOMY, NAViaATION, &C*

were the most absurd ai\4 ridiculous. In astronomy
most extraordinary misconceptions abounded, a»,
for exaniple, the mode in which they explained a
lunar eclipse, which was accounted for by saying
that the moon was swallowed by a dragon^ and
thus hidden from sight During the eclipses in an-
cient times, it was the custom to make the most
horrible and stunning noises, with all kinds of loud
and sonorous instruments, to drive the dragon from
his prey.* Their geographical errors are equally
ridiculous^nd remarkableforthe consummate yanity
for which they are ever famous. China was supposed
to constitute the centreoT the terraqueous globe, and
was therefore denominated Ckung-kwoj i. e. "the
central country,'^ and all other nations were consi-
dered inferior to it, and situated at a greater or less
distance from the fountain head of all that was bright
and desirable in art, science, or literature. That for
the present improved systems of astronomy and
geography they are entirely indebted to <^ foreign
barbarians,'' is very unwillingly admitted, and
never freely mentioned. The same desire to sup-
press the claims of foreigners to tbe introduction of
vaccination, and other European improvements, is
constantly manifested by the natives, and the most
prejudiced admirer of the Chinese cannot be blind
to their ungenerous and dishonest attempts to wccst

* It was also an ancient custom of the Romans to make loud
noises on brazen vessels during edipses of tbe moon.-— Fids
lehaairA «n Foul Mml

ASTROKOMTy NAVIGATION, &C. 151

from strangers in every instance the praise and cre-
dit which is due to their -en terprize and- ingenuity.
In the science of navigation th«ir progress has been
very slow, and so little are they acquainted with
nautical observations, that Portuguese navigators
are employed in all the junks which make voyages
to Batavia, Timor, &c. The coasting vessels sel*
dom venture far from land, except in very fine
weather. Many months are consumed in voyages
Ti4iich European vessels accomplish in a few weeks,
for independently of the indifferent sailing of the
junks, and the slowness and eaution with which
they proceed, they remain a long while in port to
dispose of their cargoes, and wait to avail them-
selves of the change in the monsoon to return to
China.

The invention of the mariner's compass is claim-
ed as original in China, and pretty freely admitted
in Europe, although the grounds for receiving the
authenticity of the assertion are none of the strong-
est. A great variety of these instruments are to be
had in Canton, some simply pocket compasses,
others calculated for the use of junks, while many
have attached to them a very neat sun dial, &c.
The needle itself is not more than an inch long, and
has the south pole painted red;* a small glass covers
the circular hole in the centre of a block of neatly
lacquered wood, in which the needle is secured.

* The Chinese call the nugnetio needle, « the needle point-
ing to the «oii(^'*

152 MEDICAL SCIENCE.

Around the centre and occupying the whole upper
surface of the compass disk, is painted an alma-
nack, the :figures and devices of which are arrang-^
ed in concentric circles. Black and red are the co-
lours used, and when finished, the whole is cover-
ed with several coats of thick, trjtnsparent, yellow
varnish. Nothing can be more simple and cheap
than these compasses. They are made of all sizes,
from the diameter of a foot down to an inch and a
half, but all are arranged on precisely the same plan.
I have never been able to detect any other astrono-
mical or nautical instrument in use on board the
junks, nor is it probable that there are any. Spy-
glasses of the most wretched description are manu-
factured in Canton, miserable imitations of the
worst German instruments. All those used in the
pilot boats, and in many of the large junks, are
excellent English glasses, the value of which the
sailors perfectly understand.

MEDICAL SCIENCE.

The greater portion of the people being iif very
limited circumstances, it follows that they can sel-
dom resort to physicians of eminence, whose de-
mands for professional Mtendance are much greater
than those of numerous empirics who are to be
found in every street. These persons attract
crowds round them while reciting the virtues of

MEDICAL SCIENCE. 153

the medicines they have to sell, and by large pla-
cards, and extraordinary orations, induce the cre-
dulous and ignorant to peril their lives by an infal-
lible pill, or destroy their health forever by an
elixir of imnaytality. I have never been able to
ascertain the existence of any regulation by which
the practice of medicine is confined to competent
persons, and. from the extensive scale on which
these people prosecute their labours undisturbed,
it is unlikely that any such law exists. The quacks
alluded to are generally found seated in the streets,
surrounded by a chaos of medicinal herbs and
simples, with a small cabinet of preparations, and
a granite mortar before them. , The applications are
either topical, as plaBtei;;^, or the mo^a, or in form of
teas, decoctions, &c. few of which fail of giving per-
manent relief to the patient by despatching him to
his ancestors. The regular practitioners of medicine,
with the exception of some childish national super-
stitions, are skilful in the simple practice of medi-
cine, but in surgical operations they are entirely at
a loss, and where diseases occur in which an am-
putation. Or operation of similar importance, is ne-
cessary, the patient is left to his fate. ^ The apothe-
caries aire on the same footing as with us, and the
prescriptions of tl)e physicians despatched to them
to be compounded. They have a great number of
medicinal preparations an^ plants in their pharma-
copoeia which are unknown to us, and many which
are precisely similar to those in use among our-
selves. Among the former we may enumerate

154 MEDICAL SCIENCE.

scorpions, the horns of the rhinoceros, elephants
tails, skin, &c. dried insects of several species^
some of them used as vesicatories, the bones of
wild cats, and many powerful plants peculiar to the
country. Among the latter may be enumerated
rhubarb, a species of liquorice, and several gums.
The famous ginseng is one of the most important,
from the extensive uses to which it is applied.
Deer's liorns are consumed in large quantities,
and are considered valuable as aphrodisiacs — with
several other remedies which have long since been
dismissed in our practice, and superseded by others
more active and eflScient.

The moxa and scarification are much resorted to
in trifling indispositions; th^ latter is administered
in the simplest manner, and consists only in scrap-
ing the part affected with a cash, or small brass
coin, until the skin be chafed off. A very strict at-
tention is paid to the pulse in various parts of the
body, and the character of the disease principally
determined by its motion. So important is this
conceived to be, that the success of an examination
of a candidate for a medical degree depends princi-
pally ou the state of his knowledge on this point.
A celebrated work on the subject by a physician
of great eminence may be foui^ in Du Halde's
China, where the symptoms, &c. are regularly de-
tailed. The medical works are numerous, but
those which are justly celebrated are small in pro-
portion to the many indifferent treatises.

MUSIC. 155

MUSIC.

Well might De Guignes and Wain concur in
pronouncing Chinese music a mass of detestable
discord; ^nd a " bruit epouvantable/^ for in fact
the sounds produced by the itistruments of a Chi-
nese band do richly-merit the appellation of "mu-
sique infernale.^^ The din and discord to an ear
at all sensitive on the subject of harmonious sounds^
is shocking^ the principal effort of the performers
appearing to be the production of noise, with-
out regard to time, or any thing else. It must
not be supposed; however, that the union of the
tones of these instruments could produce melodi-
ous music, even though harmony and time were
attended to; on the contrary, the v6ry nature of
the noise is frightful, an^' no agreeable " concord
of sweet sQundp" can possibly be expected. Indi-
vidual instruments, such as the varieties of guitar,
are capable of being used by skilful performers in
the most agreeable manner, but in a full band, the
gong, cymbals, and their most abominable trum-
pets, drown all softer sounds. The commencing
burst is really hid^us, and in my estimation cer-
tain death to a musical composer. Generally speak-
ing, the Chinese musia is mournfully monotonous,
or boisterous and loud, a few airff only corresppnd-
ing with our ideas on this score.

Among the guitars, of which there are many

156 MUSIC.

kinds, the ^^ moon lyre,^^ and the pM-pU^ are
most popular and agreeable. At night blind musi-
cians are frequently encountered, who play the fa-
vourite native airs with much taste, but when they
afflict their disappointed hearers (among us) with
a vocal accompaniment, the charm is speedily
broken.

Large wooden drums, bells of cast iron, hollow
copper, or brazen bowls, pieces of hard wood struck
one against the other, or with small rods, cyikbala,
flutes, trumpets, brass bells, small drums, guitars,
&c. are the principal instruments of music. Seve-
ral kinds of trumpet are used, some of them vjery
long and thin, having sliding joints to render them
more portable. In addition, there is a species of
harmonica, which has a delightful tone, and a kind
of harp or lute usually made of ebony^ which is
played on while lying on a table made to support
it in a horizontal position. The instruments have
a sweet tone, and when really good, command
large sums.

Few barbarous instruments of music are more
celebrated than the gong. It is only within a few
years that the secret of hammering out the metallic
composition of which they are made, was disco-
vered. Military gongs are distinguished by being
deeper and heavier. Civil gongs are quite shallow,
and appear like a circular sheet of metal simply
turned up two or two and a half inches all round.
The tone is of course less full and sonorous. Some
gongs are occasionally seen smaller, having a cen-

GAMBLING. 157

tral boss, upon which they are struck. A pole,
with a heavy end, is carried on the shoulder, and
the gong hangs before the operator, counterba-
lancing the other end of the staff. They are stricken
with a stick, headed with a ball of cotton-webbing,
bound very tight.

GAMBLING.

In China, this vice prevails among persons of
every rank in society. The passion for gaming is
universal, and is the principal employment of the
idle hours of both rich and poor. Most of the
games with which the children. amuse themselves,
are so arranged, as to have a stake depending on
the issue of the contest, and the attention and
eagerness with which they pursue their sport,
evinces the delight they derive from it. To such
a pitch is it carried, that even the sellers of
fruit, who perambulate th^ streets of Canton, gam-
ble with their customers for the commodities they
sell. The process is conducted io the following
manner: — ^A boy who desires to purchase fruit,
puts down half the value, and then throws dice
with the seller. If the fruit-dealer throw highest,
he takes the money, and the disappointed gamester
turns away to try his fortune elsewhere; but if the
purchaser beats his antagonist, he obtains his fruit
14

158 NAVAX. FORCE.

at half price. The dice-box is a porcelain saucer^
eovered by part of a bamboo-joint, like a cup. , In
this the dice, made of bone, with rounded corners^
are shaken.

There is another game, played with slips of
wood, standing in a cylindrical joint of bamboo.
Some of these slips are painted on the bottom, and
some plain, while all the projecting ends are pre-
cisely similar. If the purchaser draw a coloured
one, he wins, if not, his stake is retained by the
fruit-seller.

NAVAL FORCE.

The navy of China consists of an immense num**
ber of vessels, of all sizes, but whose actual strength
bears but a small proportion to their numbers.
The largest war junks which have fallen under my
own observations, mounted eight guns, of small
size, none being heavier than twelve pounders.
Prom the extraordinary manner in which they are
mounted, these guns are rendered of comparatively
little service, each being fixed either in a stationary
carriage, without any motion on the trunnions, or
lashed to a beam or spar, which crosses the vessel
from side to side. It thus follows, that the aim
taken with the guns, must be regulated by the
helm, by which the junk is yawed, until the mark

NAVAL FORCE. 159

is covered, but in a sea, or with- a stiff breeze, the
chances of hitting any moderate-sized object, must
be very small. Other small guns, or petronels, are
mounted in various parts of the vessel, and dis-
charged by a match. The aim is taken with the
short stock, resting against the shoulder. The
balls used are of iron, and resemble our grape in
size. It may be here mentioned, that all balls and
shot in use among this people, are composed of
cast iron, even to the smallest sizes with which game
is killed. . Swords, pikes, spears, and halberds of
various kinds, constitute the offensive weapons,
while large rattan shields, which are almost musket
proof, are those of defence. Thp bow and arrow
appears to be no longer in use on board of ships,
although it still maintains a place in the army.

Few nations equal the Chinese in the skill and
care with which they manage their vessels, and
their excellence in this respect would make them
very formidable at sea, were they equally au fait
in the other requisites of seamen and navigators.
Bred on board their boats and vessels from youth,
the sailors become perfectly acquainted with
their management, and it is a rare occurrence
to observe vessels injured by running into each
other, from the negligence or ignorance of
the ofBcers, for in rivers so crowded as those of
this immense country, countless accidents would
hourly result from inexperience, or want of cau-
tion. The powder made in Canton, is exceeding-
ly coarse^ the grains being larger than those of our

160 MII.IT ART.

cannon size^ each one quite rounds appearing as i£
it had been separately rolled. This coarse-grained
powder is used indifferently for guns or canaoo,
and appears to infiame readily by a match.

MILITARY.

China maintains its stability as a nation chiefly
from the immense standing army, which acts as a
check upon general rebellion. Want, and the infa-
mous extortions of the mandarins, do occasionally
drive districts, and even provinces, to open revolt
and defiance of the government, but unhappily for
this oppressed people, the conflicting interests of
the rebellious leaders too frequently lead them to
betray each other, and finally to fall victims to mu-
tual treachery.

The army consists ofartillery, infantry, and ca-
valry, as usual. A large portion of the field pieces
are transported on the backs of camels, or drawn by
bullocks, but in consequence of the obstinacy and
ignorance of the artillerists they cannot be of more
service than the guns used in marine warfare. Se-
veral considerable bodies of troops retain the bow
and arrow, and are covered by a defensive armour,
which, from its weight, must impede rapid evolu-
tions, and certainly annoy these sons of Mars, in
the retreats which his niajesty's forces have so of-
ten and so gloriously achieved. In fact, the dress of

MILITARY. 161

the military generally, and the officers in particu-
lar, appear very ill adapted tcT the convenience of
men who require in a campaign, as much freedom
of their limbs as possible, instead of voluminous
robes, which must be always in the way.

If any estimate can be formed of the army from
a detachment of infantry which came to Canton af-
ter the Tartar war, they are certainly a most wretch-
ed specimen of soldiers. ' Few of them were co-
vered with decent clothes, and the arms, accoutre-
ments, and paraphernalia of standards, &c. were of
the worst description. No order of march was ob-
served, and these valiant defenders of their country
straggled through the streets like Falstaff's regi-
ment, lean, ragged, and miserable. On the other
hand, the select troops by which the city is garri-
soned, are well-dressed and healthy looking men,
but are not to be taken as a fair standard of the na-
tive soldiers.

The uniform of such as are provided with it, con-
sists of a conical cap, bearing the mark of the regi-
ment to which the' wearer belongs, a short jacket,
with wide sleeves opening in front, and having a
circular badge upon the breast, with an inscription
similar to that upon the cap. Full drawers, shoes,
and a wide sash, complete their dress. Matchlocks
and short swords are the arms of the infantry^ with
the exception of the divisions armed with the bow
and arrow. The cavalry wear swords, short guns,
and occasionally pikes.

The tactics of the Chinese sojdiers are very pe-
14*

162 CHINESE ARMS.

culiar, and from the specimens I have witnessed,
seldom skilful. An annual review takes place in
Canton at a plain near the Koon-yam hill, behind
the town, where the exercises are performed by the
best troops, before the generals commanding the
garrison. Paintings representing the manoeuvres are
kept for sale in Canton in sets, which may be pur-
chased at a low rate.

The theory of actual warfare is well understood
by the oflBicers of rank in the Chinese army, but in
action they are lamentably deficient. In fact, the
difficulty of inspiring the men with proper feelings
of bravery and honour, is so great as to render it
almost impossible for the officers to make good sol-
diers of them. In the last Tartar war, the imperial
troops were awed by the determined resistance
they experienced, and only succeeded in quelling
the rebellion by dint of numbers, after repeated de-
feats. So glorious an achievement was this esteem-
ed by the Emperor, that military rewards were un-
sparingly showered on the men who - survived the
campaign, and the commander in chief raised to the
highest military rank, and favoured with the espe-
cial notice and regard of his sovereign.

CHINESE ARMS.

A great variety of weapons, offensive and de-
fensive, are in use in China; such as matchlocks,

CHINESE ARMS. 163

bows and arrows, cross-bows, spears, javelins,
pikes, halberds, double and single swords, daggers,
maces, &c. Shields and armour of various kinds,
serve as protections against the weapons of their
adversaries. The artillery is very incomplete,
owing to the bad mountings of the cannon, and
efficient execution is out of the question, from the
ignorance of the people in gunnery. Many of the
implements of war are calculated for inflicting very
cruel wounds, especially some kinds of spears and
barbed arrows, the extraction of which is extreme-
ly difficult, and the injuries caused by them very
dreadful. A kind of sword, composed of an iron
bar, about eighteen inches long, and an inch and a
half, or two inches in circumference, is used to
break the limbs of their adversaries, by repeated
and violent blows. The double swords are very
short, not longer in the blade than a large dagger,
the inside surfaces are ground very flat, so
that when placed- in contact, they lie close to each
other, and go into a single scabbard. The blades
^re very wide at the base, and decrease . very
much towards the point. Being ground very
sharp, and having great weight, the wounds
given by them are very severe. I am informed,
that the principal object in using them, is to ham-
string an enemy, and thus entirely disable him.
Most of the arms made in Canton, are exceedingly
rude and unfinished in comparison with our own. In
the sword-making art th«y are better than in other
departments, but the metal is generally of inferior

164 CHINESE ARMS.

quality^ and the form of these weapons bad; the
mountings are handsome^ but there is little or no
guard for the protection of the hand.

The fire-arms used in the Chinese army, are
matchlocks. Nothing can be more clumsy, or un-
wieldy than the guns used by the invincible troops
of his Imperial Majesty, In appearance, they re-
semble the awkward muskets used in Europe soon
after the introduction of gunpowder. An ordinary
matchlock is about, four feet long, and they are
found larger and smaller, according to the service
they are intended to perform. There is no ramrod;
the charge being forced down by an iron weight
dropped into the barrel. The lock is exceedingly
simple, consisting of a match holder, which is
thrown down into the pan on pulling the trigger.
The balls are of iron, and the powder very coarse-
grained, more resembling shot In some short
guns used for firing salutes, the barrels were of
hammered iron of great thickness, and the charge
so heavy, as to overturn by the recoil the person
who , fired them. In the naval service, long mus-
kets are used, mounted on pivots, with very long
barrels, and a large bore. Cannon cast in China,
are somewhat better than might be expected in ap-
pearance, though in execution they are wofully
deficient

FUNEBAL CEREMONIES. 165

FUNERAL CEREMONIES,

The obsequies of the rich are conducted with
great pomp and magnificence, vast sums being fre-
quently lavished in conveying the body to the spot
previously chosen by the deceased for his inter-
ment. It frequently happens that a man dies at a
remote distance from his native place, and pursuant
to his request, the body is transported thither to be
entombed in the family cemetery; great horror be-
ing entertained of burial in a land of strangers,
where the annual sacrifices, in March, which the
surviving relatives or friends make at the tombs of
the departed, are likely to be discontinued. There
are persons who, from motives of benevolence, at
the season of these sacrifices, visit the deserted
tombs of the dead, who have no surviving kindred
to perform the pious office, and make the annual
offerings to the manes of the deceased.

Particular spots are valued as the most favour-
able sites for tombs, especially those places which
are well adapted to the purpose in elevated situa-
tions, as there is a great objection to a tomb which
may be covered up by earth or overflowed by wa-
ter. In ^he choice of a burial place by the rich, di-
vination is resorted to, on particular days, which
are denoted in the calendar to be auspicious, and
the astrologers consulted.

Ordinary funerals are conducted with a due pro-

166 FUNERAL CEREMONIES.

portion of ceremony, the procession conSmencing
with musicians with trumpets and gongs, who make
a most funereal noise; before these are generally
two men, bearing paper lanterns on poles, the
ground painted blue and the letters of the inscrip-
tions white, the usual mourning colour. These are
followed by porters bearing fruit and offerings to
be presented at the grave; the bier, covered with
cloth, decorated with coloured garlands, is preced-
ed by a man strewing pieces of white paper, cut in
a circular form, scolloped on the edges. The rela-
tives follow, clothed in dirty yellow garments,, the
hair dishevelled, and the feet shod with straw san-
dals; they are supported by domestics, and bear
in their hands small white wands, covered with
folded and plaited white cloth. The chair or pa-
lanquin of the deceased^is borne by its proper bear-
ers, and upon the seat is placed an inscription
written on paper. More offerings follow, and the
procession closes with gongs, the servants of the fa-
mily, and remote relations girt with sashes, and with
caps or fillets of white muslin upon their heads.

The cojBSns are very large and ponderous, the
boards being many inches thick, and convex above.
Much neatness is observed in their construction,
and the expensive wood of which some of them are
made, causes them to cost high prices. Many per-
sons on finding slabs of the proper wood, have
their coffins constructed, and preserve them for
many years in their houses. Cedar is most com-
monly used for the purpose, but it sometimes oc-

FX7NERAL CEREMONIES. 167

curs that very rich persons order their coffins to be
made of sandal wood, or some other equally costly.
The tombs are very various in their materials, but
the shape in all is nearly the same; that is to say,
having a centre or principal part, and two curved
walls springing from each side, and describing in
all nearly two-thirds of a circle. The most numer-
ous are those built of marble or granite, and the
least frequent are of brick or sandstone. A com-
mon grave is merely a conical hillock of earth,
with a narrow curved ridge on each side. A plain
flat slab of granite is placed on end, in front of the
hill of earth, decorated with an inscription cut in
the stone, Uie cavities of the letter coloured black
or red.

In the large tombs there is a kind of flat tablet in
front of the grave-stone, raised a few inches from
the ground, on which the ofierings of incense, food
and wine are placed at the proper Reasons. Large
quantities of gilded paper, houses, clothes, and va-
rious articles, forming very ingenious imitations,
composed of paper, and painted, are also consumed,
on the supposition that these things immediately
pass into the invisible world, for the use and enjoy-
ment of the deceased. Money is. represented by
folded pieces of silvered paper.

It is said that the Chinese frequently disinter the
bones of their deceased parents, and after carefully
washing them, they are deposited in an earthen jar.
The priests of tlie Fuh sect are the only persons
who are not buried, their bodies being burnt in an

168 THB CONFUCIAN PHILOSOFHT.

oven purposely constructed near their monasteries.
In the event of any one wishing to be buried, his
request is complied with, in case he have sufficient
money to defray the expenses of the ground and
tomb; but if not, the body is reduced to ashes,
which are placed in an urn or vessel for the purpose,
and then enclosed in a vault near the house in which
the bodies are burnt

Various circumstances conspire at times to pro-
crastinate an interment, and bodies are frequently
kept for months and even years, in the houses of
the relatives, until the necessary arrangements are
completed. These delays are sometimes occasioned
by family feuds, as the connexions of the deceased
are in duty bound to be present at the annual sa-
crifices at the tomb, and one or more branches of
the family residing at a greater distance than the
others, make objections to the chosen place of se-
pulture, on the plea of the great distances it obliges
them to travel, for the purpose of being present at
the proper season, while the other branches of the
family are close at hand, and suffer no such incon-
venience.

THE CONFUCIAN PHILOSOPHY.

The followers of this celebrated Chinese sage,
receive, as their code of morals, the work called
the Three Kings^ viz. the Fee-king, Shoo-king,

THE CONFUCIAN PHILOSOPHY. 169

and She-king J the Chung-tsew is a, work relating
chiefly to historical matters. There are also books
of minor importance. The Ta-hed, Lun-yu^ and
Chung-yung. These are included under one ge-
neral title of the four books, or Sze-shoOy and the
work is one which is very frequently found in the
hands of children at school, especially the Ta-heQ,
or " great learning,^* which consists chiefly of mo-
ral sentences, accompanied by interminable com-
mentaries in a smaller sized letter. THe best co-
pies of this highly-valued work have the titles,
printed in red ink, and are of the imperial octavo
size. The four volumes may be obtained in Canton
for about a dollar and a quarter, a small sum for
the entire works of Kung-foo-tszt* and a part
written by Mang-tsze^ one of his favourite scho-
lars. The Confucian philosophers acknowledge a
great First Cause, or Supreme Being, and innu-
merable, minor deities. The main point of the sys-
tem appears to be mystery, and reasoning of so
abstruse a character, as to amount in many in-
stances to downright nonsense in the translation.

"The morals of the Joo Keaou,'^ (the sect of
Confucius,) " were reduced to the practice of two
virtues; Jin, signifying piety towards the Divinity

• The reader will observe that my orthography of Chinese
words differs from that of the French Jesuits, and from Mr.
Wain's modification of it. I have adhered to the mode of
spelling the sounds established by the learned Morrison,
whose authority may be considered perfectly good in all parti-
culars relative to the language.
15

170 THE KO-TOU.

and towards parents^ and good will to man. Ye,
justice, or equity, which enjoined them to give
unto every man what is his due."* No mention
is made of a system of future reward or punifph-
ment, and they appear to have no belief in the doc-
trine of the immortality of the soul.

Those who have a curiosity to know further, in
relation to the tenets of the Confucian philosophy,
may be gratified by consulting De Fauv^, De
Guignes, the Memoirs of the Academy of Inscrip-
tions, and the Memoires sur les Chinois. The ob-
ject here is merely to present a sketch, and to
avoid a learned detail of what may be to many a
very uninteresting affair.

The works of Confucius have been translated
very accurately by Mr. Marshman, whose version
was printed at Calcutta, and latterly by the late
Mr. Collie, of the missionary establishment at Ma-
lacca. A Chinese text and commentary accompa-
nies some copies of the translation, which were
prepared with great care and attention by Mr. Col-
lie, who died very shortly after the publication of
this laborious work.

THE KO-TOU.

The refusal by Lord Macartney, the last Eng-
lish ambassador, to perform this ceremony at the
Court of Fekin, has caused some curiosity to know

* Memoires de 1' Academic des Inscriptions.

THE KO-TOU. 171

exactly the nature of the act required of him. The
following extract from a memoir by Dr. Morrison,
will give a clear idea of the various grades of the
Ko'tou.

** The lowest form by which respect is showed
in China at this day, is Kung-shoWj that is, join-
ing the hands, and raising them before the breast.
The next is Tso-yXh^ that is, bowing low with the
hands joined. The third is Ta-isSeUy bending the
knee as if about to kneel. The fourth is Kweij to
kneel. The fifth is Ko-tou, kneeling, and striking
the head* against the ground. The sixth is San-
kowy striking the head three times against the
esirth before rising from one's knees. The seventh
is L^h'koWy that is, kneeling, and* striking the
forehead three times, rising on one's feet, kneeling
down again, and striking the head again three times
against the earth.

" The climax is closed by the San-kwei-kew-
kowy kneeling thr^e different times, and at each
time knocking the head thrice against the ground.

" Some of the gods of China are entitled only to
the San-kow; others to the LXih-kow; the T^^en^
(heaven,) and the Emperor are worshipped with
the San-kwei-kew-kow — Does the Emperor » of
China claim Divine honours?''

The English ambassador very properly refused
to degrade his country to the level of others, which
have in consequence been called dependants and
tributaries of the Celestial Empire, for the Ko-tou
is an unquestionable act of abject submission.

172 THE ZO-TQU.

Various conflicting opinions have been expressed
in relation to the expediency of submitting to the
dictates of Chinese ceremonials, and even among
the members of the embassy in question, there was
much difierence of sentiment on the subject. From
the knowledge of this people, which is acquired
by residents at Canton, the conclusion is uniformly
drawn, that the Chinese continue to urge, in the
most persevering and impudent manner, further,^
and more degrading concessions, where they have
been submitted to in the first instance, and it is
difiicult to say where their exactions would have
ceased had the Ko-tou been performed by the am-
bassador. It is most sincerely to be hoped that no
similar dipldtomatic expedition to China will- be
despatched from the United States. Little is to
be gained from the " Celestial Empire" by solici-
tation; and in condescending to make a request,
the nation so doing must inevitably offer gifts cor-
responding to the favourable ideas which it is
wished to convey, and thus be classed, by these
vain and arrogant people, among the tributary na-
tions. *

• It is well known that the boats, or barges, In which the
gentlemen and suite composing the embassy were conveyed
to Pekin, bore at the mast-heads flags, on which were in-
scribed large characters, implying most unequivocally that
they were tribute bearers to the emperor.

SECRET SOCIETIES. 173

SECRET SOCIETIES.

All private meetings and concourses of people,
are subjects of much uneasiness to the government,
and every means is resorted to in order to suppress
them^ from the fear of insurrections, or other re-
bellious measures being hatched by these associa-
tions, whose meetings are strictly private, and the
members bound to secrecy by solemn oaths.
During my stay in Canton, some severe edicts
were fulminated against these societies, and many
members arrested, but their place was soon sup-
plied, and the proceedings continued in defiance of
the governineftt

Most of these societies, are simply bodies of de- '
prayed and idle men, organized for the purposes of
rapine and plunder. Many of them consist almost
entirely of Ftih priests, who inhabit the rocky and
difficult passes of the mountains, where they lie in
wait for travellers, and securely brave the Imperial
troops in fastnesses, known only to themselves.
Others are confined to cities and their suburbs, where
they rob ifi every possible manner, generally with
great success. The officers of the police depend
upon their myrmidons to capture these robbers,
but in most instances, there is a league between
them, and they escape unpunished: Extensive
political associations also exist in China, the trans-
actions of which, are looked upon by government
15*

174 ISLANDS OF LOO-CHOO, FORMOSA, &C.

as treasonable, and as such, punished with the
greatest severity. In these societies, men of high
rank and reputation are frequently connected, and
their objects appear in most cases, to be great poli-
tical changes, to their own advantage.

Secret religious fraternities are also objects of
suspicion, and their progress checked by the se-
verest punishments. Among the most detestable
of these, are, (according to the present govern-
ment,) the Christians, who have not succeeded, as
yet, to any very great extent, and the rigid inflic-
,tion of the prescribed penalties, has very much di-
minished the number of converts. Every exer-
tion is made by the authorities to prevent public
meetings, and consequently, all convocations for
religious or political purposes are necessarily con-
ducted in private, and so jealous are they in this
respect, that the assembly of an unusual number of
foreigners at dinner, &c. is invariably reported to
the police, by spies, who are regularly paid for the
information they communicate.

ISLANDS OF LOO-.CHOO, FORMOSA, &c.

The extraordinary fictions of Daptaih Hall have
given a reputation to the insignificant islands of
LoO'Choo^ that under other circumstances they
would probably never have acquired. What in-
ducement the gallant captain could have to publish

ISLANDS OF LOO-CHOO9 FORMOSA^ &C. 175

SO romantic a narrative, it is difficult to imagine.
The tales of their ignorance of arms, and of the art
of war, their having no coin, and similar matters,
the description of the character and dispositions of
this exemplary people, all fade away, and are dis-
sipated before the provoking truths, which have
been maliciously circulated of late, in relation to
the Loo-choo islanders. It is certainly a most
annoying pferogative of fact, to overturn the fairy
tales of poetic voyagers, and to facts as recently re-
lated, we are indebted for a correct estimate of
Captain Hall's ingenious fictions. It appears that
so far from having no money, they have coin and
bullion, in which a portion of the tribute, which
they are annually compelled to pay to the Chinese,
is transmitted. Instead of the mild, inoffensive,
and amiable people, which they have been des-
cribed to be, they are as skilful in the arts of hy-
pocrisy and dissimulation, as their more celebrated
neighbours of China. The history of their country
contains numerous accounts of wars, in which they
have been from time to time engaged, and the
weapons in use among them, are said to resemble
those of China. A writer in the Canton Register,
runs a crusade against Captain Basil HalPs facetious
romances, and exposes in no gentle pr recherchS
terms, the falsehoods related in the ^^ Voyage to the
Lao^Aoo Islands, by Captain Basil Hall, of his
Britannic Majesty ^s Navy, " &c.

The island of Formosa was subjugated by the

176 COOLIES^ OR PORTERS.

Emperor K^lin-lungy A. D. 1682.* This island,
which is situated in the China Sea, off the coast of
Pah^Kmuy is called Ty-wan or Tae^wauj and is
ruled by a viceroy or governor, appointed by im-
perial authority.

The LeW'kew or Loo-choo islands, commenced
their trade and intercourse with the Chinese nation
about the year 1396, and have since been enrolled
among those nations which the. Chinese consider
tributary to them.

COOLIES, OR PORTERS.

This term ooo/y, which signifies a servant or
porter, has been imported from Bengal, and is in
general use at Canton, among foreigners, and na-
tives who speak English. . The under servants in
the factories, and the public and private porters by
whom burdens of every description are transport-
ed through the streets of Canton, are all denomi-
nated coolies. Incessant labour of the severest kind,
has the effect of rendering these men active and
powerful, capable of enduring a continued exertion,
under which others would inevitably sink.

Prom a bamboo supported on the right shoulder,
all weights or burdens are carried, and the conse-
quence of continued pressure and friction is a large

* Morrison.

COOLIES, OR PORTERS. 177

callous swelling, which deforms the shoulder of all
the persons engaged in this employment. A pecu-
liar disease of the veins is also remarkably appa-
rent in the legs, where the veins lying near the
skin are distended and enlarged in an extraordinary
manner, very unpleasing in appearance, and even-
tually terminating in a serious affection. Great
strength is exhibited by these men, who trot at a
smart pace through the crowded streets, crying
" leihy leth^^ as a caution to persons passing them to
get out of their way.

The bamboos used by single porters are very
short, light, very elastic, and capable of sustaining
a heavy load at either hand. When, however, the
load is attached but to one extremity, a weight of
stone or metal is hung at the other in order to
counterbalance it. The bamboos used by two por-
ters are very large, and usually about ten feet long.
The weight on these i^ suspended from the centre,
hy slings or ropes.

By these, casks of wine, heavy cases, chests of
tea, and in short every thing too ponderous to be
carried by hand, are borne from place to place, as
there are no carts or other conveyances whatever
for their transportation.

Regular stands are appointed for these coolies at
the corners of particular streets, where they take
their turns, regulated by a kind of overseer. They
are very tenacious of their rights, and fights fre-
quently take place between them and private coo-
lies, who attempt to remove boxes or other bur-

178 THE SECT or VTJBf OB BUDDHISTS(.

dens from house to house. In some of these en-
gagements serious accidents have occurred from the
tremendous blows inflicted by bamboos. The quick
pace at which they walk, enables them to carry a
great quantity of goods ftom place to place in much
less time than could be imagined, and they work
incessantly, from morning to midnight, when re-
quired, with no other liquid refreshment than a
few cups of weak tea!

THE SECT OP FUH, OR BUDDHISTS.

In a native work entitled Ching^Uze-Vhingf it
is related that the importation of the Buddhist or
P&h religion, took place in the year 50, during
the reign of the Emperor Mingy of the Han dy-
nasty-

An opposite opinion is entertained by the so-
ciety of learned men appointed by Kang-hee to
compile the dictionary which bears his name. They
state that '^ some of the Sha-muny or priests of
FHh came to China during the dynasty Tsin. Che-'
hwangj the first Emperor of that dynasty, who
reigned about two hundred and fifty years B. C.
imprisoned those priests on account of their being
foreigners; but it is said a golden man broke open
the prison doors at night In the time of Woo-teey
(B. C. 250,) an image of Pah was obtained, and
the images of the present day are of the same mo-

THE SECT OF FUH, OB BUDDHISTS. 179

del. They admit, however, that during the reiga
of the Emperor Ming, the religion of Fah entered
China more effectually, and that the occasion of it
was a dream of the Emperor's, in which he saw a
golden man flying ahout the palace."**^

The sect is disreputable, but very numerous.
They affect abstraction, and the contemplation of
divine objects, and for this purpose retire to desert
or mountainous places, to meditate undisturbed
upon the divine excellencies and mysterious influ-
ence of I^h. They are of opinion that it is only
necessary to repeat the sentence, "*0A me to JP&h/*
a certain number of times to ensure their subse-
quent beatification.

Most of the prayers which constitute the religi-
ous exercises of the sect of F\ih are Hindu pray-
ers, the sounds of the words being rendered into .
the Chinese character, but not the signification, so
that they recite a jargon, iioit a word of which is
intelligible to them.

The remarkable similarity between the outward
forms in the ceremonials of this sect and those of
the Catholic church, has struck many very forcibly,
and a pious missionary of the olden time inveighs
against his satanic majesty, for this sacrilegious and
abominable imitation of the holy rites of the Church
of Rome.

'* Korrison in Chinese. Diet

180 THE SECT OF TAOU.

THE SECT OF TAOU.

The religionists belonging to this order have
some fine monasteries in and about Canton, which
are said to be supported principally by voluntary
donations of the citizens. "

A man called Laou-tszey or Laou-tau-le-urhf
is the reputed founder of the sectf he was a kind
of hermit, or ascetic, teaching the usual points of
morality. The principal tenet is a release of the
mind from exertion, a kind of calm abstraction,
and contemplation of celestial things.* There is
a vulgar superstition which is propagated in works
on the subject, that this philosopher was a divine
being in human form, and that he is constantly
among men. He is supposed to have made his ap-
pearance among men at many times from the ear-
liest ages down to the sixth century; the number
of periods enumerated is seven. Dr. Morrison,
under this article in his Dictionary, gives many
particulars from Chinese books on the subject of
this sect; he states that the language and titles in

• He is described by Choo-foo-tsze as a person who taught
and practised a weak inactivity, and neglect of the world and
its concerns, and expecting to reform men simply by example,
he went beyond the principles which govern mankind, and
neither loved fame, nor pleasure, and did not enter the public
service. He-concludes by calling him an ignorant good man.
— Morrison*

THE 8SCT OF TAOU. lOl

use among the members of it are very peculiar.
LaoU'tsze is also called by his votaries '^ the su-
preme/* "the supreme trifold source/' ** the most
honoured in heaven^'' &c. The priests of this or-
der are distinguished principally by their hair,
which is worn in large quantity on the top of the
head, and shaved from the occipot, forehead, and
around the ears. It is folded up in a mass on the
summit, a gourd shell, or wooden imitation of one,
placed over it, and the whole confined by a wooden
bodkin passing through it The dress consists of
a very capacious robe, of a plain colour, with ex-
ceedingly large sleeves. They are permitted to
marry, are said to have no scruples in eating ani-
mal food, in which two particulars they are distin-
guished from the sect of Foh or Buddhists. Being
generally better men, and of more extensive in-
formation than the Foh priests, many of them live
in the capacity of tutors to gentlemen's children.
Several of the fortune-tellers who sit in the streets
near the factories are priests of this sect, and are
always observed to be more neat in their persons,
and less idle than those of tiie other sect, the mem-
bers of which are, with very few exceptions, very-
worthless and immoral.

16

182 SUPERSTITIONS.

SUPERSTITIONS.

The extraordinary nature of the superstitions
which aflfect the natives of China is remarkable, as
well as their number. For instance, lucky and
unlucky days are carefully noted in the Imperial
Almanac, and he who obstinately begins a jour-
ney) or commences any work on a day stigmatized
by the astrologers as unlucky, is looked upon as
little short of a madman. Omens are also regarded,
and the interpretations of dreams eagerly sought
for. Magical rites are resorted to, to determine the
issue of future events, and similar ceremonies per-
formed to ascertain fortunate localities for houses,
or auspicious situations for graves. Foreigners are
looked upon by the vulgar as a kind of monsters,
and the belief in fabulous animals is strong,
even among the higher classes. Among the
many curious works which I obtained in China,
was a curious history of monsters, illustrated by
numerous figures of the most hideous and improba-
ble fictions, in two volumes, and ^n additional one
of plates.

As a specimen, I have added a translation of the
descriptive- note, which accompanied each figure,
of the most extraordinary of the collection; and
these extracts will convey some idea of the remain-
ing plates, which are very numerous, and of a sir
niilar character.

STTPERSTITIONS. 183

No. 2, Ying'Chow. — ^An animal having the
body of a horse, the face of a human being, the
body ornamented with stripes like a tiger, and fur-
nished with bird's wings.

No. 3. Luh-woo, — ^The body of a tiger with
nine human heads, and the paws of a lion, eight of
the heads smaller, and crowning the ninth, which
is largest

No. 5. /SAm-Arwei.— Face human; the body that
of a hog with one leg and one arm. — Inhabits the
Keu kang hilL

Note. — A possibility — probably a monkey with
one arm and one leg.

• No. 6. Tae-fung. — Face human; tail that of a
tiger.— The god of the Ho hilL

No. 8. Waei — Face human; horns those of a
sheep; paws of a tiger. — Dwells in the Keaou MIL

No. 9. Ke-^mung. — ^Body human, with a dra-
gon's head.— Dwells in the Brilliant hill. Wher-
ever it entet*s or departs from there is invariably
wind and rain.

No. 10. Hing^teen^ Emblem of heaven. — ^Body
without a head; the right hand sustains a battle
axe, the left a shield; the eyes are inserted where
the nipples should be, and the mouth where the
navel is placed.

No. 11. JUh^how. — Upon the right ear is a
green snake, the; eyes and face those of a dragon,
the hair and claws of a lion, the right hand grasps
a battle axe, and the figure is mounted on a double
dragon* — ^The god of the four golden squares.

184 SUPERSTITIONS.

No^ 12. Tuh-yin. — A human face^ body of a
snake, and vermilion colour, one thousand le long,
(two hundred and fifty miles!!!)— God of the Bell
hill.

No. 13. Leang-iew. — Thebody of asnake, with
nine humaa heads.

No. 14. Choa-pe. — ^Body that of a hog, with a
human face; the ears are green snakes.

No 15. Teen-woo. — The body of a tiger, with
eight human heads, eight feet, and eight tails. The
god of Chow-yang-koo; some say it has ten
tails.

No. 16. Yu'Sze-tsee. — Body blaek, with two
hands, in each of which there is asnake; out of the
left ear comes a green snake, and from the rights
one of a vermilion colour.

No. 17. Urh'/oo'chee-chtn*^^Both hands con-
fined or tied up by the hair; theright foot shackled.
Inhabits the I^h Mil.

No. 1 8. Lut/shin. — The thunder god ; body that
of a dragon; face human; the belly is a rfrt^w. —
Dwells in Woo-se.

No. 19. Ken-fung.— The body of a bird with
nine human heads. — ^Dwells at the north extremity
of the Tmn-kwei-hill.

No. 20. Keang'leang, — Tiger^s eyes: body hu-
man, four cloven feet, and a snake through the
nose. — Dwells with the preceding.

No. 21. Fu-min-kwo. — The feathered people's
country. — Size of a man.-^In habits the southern

SUPERSTITIONS. 185

part of the Kee-koo country. — ^The plate represents
a feathered man^ with wings and a bird^s beak.

No. 23. Ya-hO'kwo. — ^The body is that of a
beast; and of a black colour^ it produces fire from
the mouth. — ^Lives to the east of Kt-ntn-tow,

No. 29. Kt'htung'kwo^ — ^These people have
the faculty of rendering themselves visible, or in-
visible, make flying chariots, are able to fly a great
distance, have one arm and three eyes. — Inhabit
east of the one-arm country.

No. 32. . Yih-fnuh'kwo. — One-eyed country;
one eye placed in the middle of the face, (or fore-
head.) — Dwells east of the illuminated dragons.

No. 34. J7rA-A?i^o,— ^These people have ears so
long and pendulous, that when walking, they are
obliged to support them in their hands.

The superstitions with regard to evil 8pirits,^re
very prevalent among all classes, and no house or
boat is seen at night undefended by small odorifer-
ous matches, which are burnt at the entrances, in-
tended with an ofiering of burnt paper, to concili-
ate the evil genii, which are supposed to be ever
present

At a certain season of the year, sacrifices are of-
fered to the manes of departed relatives and friends,
and at the death of an individual, emblems of money
and clothes are consumed, on the supposition that
the substantial benefit of them will be transferred
to the individual in the world of spirits.
16*

186 CRIMINAL COURT.

CRIMINAL COURT.

One ol the most interesting scenes I witnessed
in China, was^ the trial of a number of men, who
were convicted of piracy and murder, in the case
of the sailors of the French ship Navigateur. This
vessel having met with an accident on a shoal or
reef, at the south-west extremity of the Island of
Patawan, in the China Sea, proceeded to Cochin-
China to refit, but owing to great difficulties expe-
rienced there, the ship was finally condemned, and
sold. A part of the crew, amounting to sixteen
men, after rejecting an arrangement with the Com-
mander of an English brig under Portuguese
colours, took passage in a Chinese junk, which was
to have landed them at Macao^ with a number of
native passengers also on board. From the depo-
sitions of a surviving sailor, an Italian named
Francisco, it appears they were induced to re-
main on board, after the departure of the Chinese,
who were to land at Macao, upon a promise of
running in with the vessel, and sending them
ashore there with greater convenience. After
which, the crew of the junk rose upon them and
destroyed the captain, and all the crew, with the
exception of two men,, who jumped overboard, one
of them so badly wounded, that he shortly sunk,
exhausted from the injuries he had received. The
other, (Francisco,) supported himself for some

CRIMINAL COXJBT. 187

time on a plank, which some Chinese fishermen
threw to him, who were afraid to take him on
board, and he was finally taken up much exhausted,
by the crew of another boat, and landed at Macao,
where he was immediately conducted to the proper
authority, and depositions were taken relative to
the piracy.

This horrible circumstance excited great interest
for the unfortunate survivor, who, beside receiving
a daily pension from the Portuguese government,
was further relieved by donations from many
residents at Macao. A representation was in-
stantly made to the mandarins at Macao and Can-
ton, and the same communicated to the magistrates
of Amay^ in the province Fokien^ (Fiih K)&eny)
adjoining that of Canton, (Kwang-tungJ to the
eastward, whither it was supposed the junk had
proceeded.

The following extract from my diary will ex-
plain the form of the trisd, and ceremonies ob-
served in the court

"The court was held in the old Kung-Soo hall,
which is in ruins, at the head of China street, hav-
ing been destroyed by the great fire in 1822, and
not rebuilt, in consequence, (it is said,) of some
superstition of How-quttj the chief Hong merchant.
The old hall has in it, apartments, altars, &c« at
which ceremonies are sometimes performed on
particular days. In the centre was placed a chair
of state, and table with writing materials, for the
Kwang-chow-foOj or Mayor of Canton. On bis

188 CRIMINAL COURT.

right were seated two mandarins, with gold but-
tons, on the left, one with a white transparent but-
ton; outside of these were two others, with gold
buttons, one on each side, as assistant judges,
in rich silk dresses, lined with fur, and highly
embroidered square badges, before and behkid.
Some time previous to the arrival of these oflS-
cers, the prisoners were brought into the court
yard, in strong wooden cages, just large enough for
them to lie in, with their legs drawn up. They
were strongly chained, hand and foot, and round
the neck. The box had a round hole in the top^
for these miserable felons to put their heads
through. Each one had a wooden label attached
to him, with his name inscribed upon it Every
cage contained one man, and they were brought in,
suspended from a bamboo pole, supported on the
shoulders of two men. They were tolerably well
clothed^ but were exhausted, and looked dread-
fully. Many had undergone the torture, and
could scarcely walk when taken out to be examin-
ed. One man among them excited a very general
sensation in his favour. The expression of his
face was very good, and many of the gentlemen
who understood Chinese, endeavoured Jo converse
with him, but as he was a FUh-keen man, and
spoke a peculiar dialect, it was very diflScult.

Dr. Morrison addressed the foreigners present,
and submitted to them, that it would perhaps be
better to signify in a respectful manner, to the au-
thorities, that the foreigners* did not desire the

CRIMINAL COURT. 189

blood of any one against whom the evidence was
not entirely conclusive, and moreover, that the
Chinese above mentioned, had, at all times, denied
any participation in the horrid massacre, until the
torture forced a false confession of guilt from him.
It was improbable that he, being a kind of super-
cargo, a man of property, and having also cargo on
boards would consent to aid in a massacre like the
present, when, from the number concerned, the
share of plunder would be comparatively so insig-
nificant, and the danger of detection so very great
This information was obtained from him with diffi-
culty, as it was to be interpreted by another Chi-
nese into the Canton dialect, to the reverend
gentleman, and by him again into English.*
Upon the mandarins coming into court, they stood
at the tables for a few moments, and then sat down
with much stateliness and gravity. An under
officer cried aloud in a long drawling voice, and
was answered by the minor attendants, in a tone
similar to his. This was the opening of the
court.

The Italian sailor,^ Francisco, who was picked up
by a fishing vessel, after he jumped overboard,
while the murder was committing, was in frdnt,
and on the right of the Kwang-chom-foo^ attended
by a Portuguese interpreter.

Dr. Morrison advanced, and respectfully ad-

• The Doctor received the thanks of all present for his
benevolent endeavours.

190 CRIMIKAL COTJBT.

dressed the Kwang-chow-foo, expressing the sen-
timents above mentioned. The ofl&cer replied,
and the Doctor retired.

The prisoners were brought out two, three,
and sometimes four or more, for the purpose
of confronting them with Francisco, in order that
he might identify those concerned; such as he did
had their indictment, which lay before the Kwang-
chow-fooy marked by him with red ink.

When the old Chinese before mentioned, was
brought up, the Italian rushed forwards, recognis-
ing him instantly, and patting him on the head,
exclaiming in Portuguese, "It is he!^' "It is he!"
Upon examination, it was proved that the poor old
man was not only innocent of a share in the mur-
der, but endeavoured to 6ave the life of Francisco.
He was removed, and shortly after restored to
liberty.

Upwards of thirty were thus examined, but still
the most atrocious were wanting. One of the pri-
soners, a mere boy, was recognised by Francisco,
who affirmed, that his father, whom he had not
yet seen, was one of the principals, in this bloody
transaction. The others were in consequence sent
for, and they, not coming immediately, the court
rose, and the foreigners went to dinner, having
been there from 11 J A. M. till 4 P. M.

During our absence, the examination termi-
nated.

A very strong guard of soldiers was stationed at
the gate of the court, and the entrance of China

CRIMINAL COURT. 191

Street, entirely shutting up the passage, which, as
it is one of the most crowded thoroughfares in Can-
ton, created an immense mob, which was kept in
order by the soldiers, who bestowed, in the most
unsparing manner, the whips, with which they
were provided, on the heads and shoulders of all,
without distinction, who pressed too near. These
soldiers were the most detestable looking wretches
I almost ever beheld. Their physiognomies were
particularly revolting and disagreeable, and their
persons filthy. They are miserable soldiers, for
we were obliged, in self-defence, to kick and cuff
them considerably to make them keep off, as we
had no desire whatever to acquire from them the
itch, or other disgusting matters with which many
of them were infested. We observed that the mi-
litary mandarins were not allowed to enter the hall
of justice, although one of them was of considerable
rank, wearing a blue button on his cap. The
horses belonging to them were tied in China street,
and were wretched and dwarfish animals, as all the
Chinese horses we see in Canton are. They are
ponies, in fact, with immense bushy manes and
tails, and untrimmed fetlocks, and all of them with-
out shoes.

The hong merchants, young How-gua, Motth
qua, Ponkei-gua, and young King-gua, were
present in their robes of ceremony, and received
the officers with much reverence on their arrival.
Ponkei-gua wore a most magnificent necklace of
amber beads, divided at intervals by large balls of

192 SACRIFICES.

highly polished Jade or nephrite^ a stone much
valued by the Chinese. The others had necklaces
of valuable stone^ &e. but not so striking or mag-
nificent. The hall^ although large^ and containing
no one but the officers of justice^ their retinues^ the
foreigners of Canton, and the military guards, was
inconveniently small for the number present. We
were jammed and squeezed most annoyingly, and
the odour elicited, by so many dirty vagabonds
being closely crowded together, was any thing but
pleasant. In fact, nothing but the extreme novelty
of the scene, and its great rarity, would have in-
duced any of us to remain any length of time.*'

SACRIFICES.

These rites, which seem little more than an
outward conformity to established usages, unac-
companied by any real piety, or devotional feel-
ing, are very scrupulously performed. A daily
sacrifice to the household gods is never omitted;
the ofierings to deceased relatives, and occasional
visits to the temples, where gilt paper, perfumed
matches and ornamented candles are burnt, occur
at stated periods. In addition to these, there are
many festivals upon which public sacrifices are
performed, and at which the priests assist. The
god of fire is honoured by a festival, in which
great illuminations and rejoicings occur, and on the

SACRIPICB^S. 193

new year the quantity of fire-works which are con-
sumed is astonishing.' Upon this occasion every
one is bound to contribute his portion to the gene-
ral demonstrations of joy at the happy termination
of tl^e old, and commencement of the new year.

The Chinese, although a nation in which there
is perhaps less real religion than any other, are
most particular in the obsiervarice of the prescribed
outward forms. Every evening are bunches of jos-
stick stuck about the doorways, and the light care-
fully attended to which burns in the small temple
or oratory with which every Chinese house is jmw)-
vided, under the idea that these ceremonies will
prevent the ingresi of evil spirits. In the boats at
dark the same ceremonies are performed, besides
which bundles of gilt paper are set. on fire, and
after being -held aloft until nearly consumed, are
cast into the water. We often see small earthen
pots filled with fire, floating undisturbed down the
river in the evening, which is another mode of the
Tsin-tsin^ or sacrifice, which with the Chinese is
a mere mechanical process, generally unaccompa-
nied by any real devotion or penitence, but being
usually done more from superstitious fear, than
from a sense of gratitude to the Deity.

Fart of the market purchases of a Chinese, are
the brown paper, with a sheet of brass-leaf in the
centre, the odoriferous matches, oil, and small sa-
crificing candles made of wax filled with tallow,
and having a wooden vyick*

The corners of most streets haTe a recess in
17

194 MOKXT— BULLION — RATE OF IKTEREST.

which the stone figures in a sitting position, of a
male and female deity^ are placed, and before
which the pious place candles, odoriferous matches^
or flaming paper, as a propitiatory offering. < A
prayer, or moral maxim, is cut on the stone frame
of the recess on each side, $tnd the cavities of the
letters filled with vermilion or black. A small jar,
or pot, filled with ashes^ in which the matches are
stuck, completes the moveable apparatus. The altar
has a cavity beneath, into which the burning paper
is thrown. . .

MONEY— .BULLION-^RATE of INTEREST.

The only regular coin of the Empire is the tung-
tseen, or cashy as it is called by Europeans, a small
piece of money cast of a composition metal, and
having in the centre a small square hole, which
seryes to string it by. Seven hundred and seven of
these equal a dollar, when at the usual rate of seven
mace, one candareen, seven cash, or as it is known
in Canton, 7. 1.7. In the buadles of this coin circu-
lated for a Spanish dollar, there are about eight
hundred cash, but much Cochin-Chinese and small
spurious coins intermixed. Spanish dollars are an
introduced money^ and as it Is the custom for each
merchant, as he receives them, to place a stamp
made with a steel punch, on every dollar; they soon
become broken up,, and losing all shape, are finally

MONET — ^BULLION-^RATE OW IHTSBBST. 195

reduced to small shapeless bit9 of silver^ eovere^
with impressed characters, and paid away entirely
by weight Bullion is in stamped bars, marked
with the rate of fineness, and designated by iotu:hes;
that is to say, its purity tested by sets of goldsmiths
touch-needles. The purest kinds of silver are deno^
minated Sy-cee^ and the Ptata-pina of Peru which
IS imposed into China, by the foreign merchants,
also comes under thi& denomination. Ingots or bars
of stiver are subject to man^ adulterations, and are
not unfrequently cast hollow, and a piece of lead
placed in the inside to complete the weight In
fact every species of fraud is practiced by the deal-
ers in bullion, and the greatest caution is requisite
in all transactions with them. The advance on Sy*-
cee is from six to ten per cent, above dollars of
equal weight

The duties received at the imperial treasury are
said to be always paid in Sy-cee silver, the purity
of which is tested by the assay ers. Gold is examin-
ed, I believe in all cases, by a set of small bars of
gold, of various degress of purity, marked and
numbered regularly : these are called touch-needlef.
A mark is made with the piece of gold to be tried,
upon a fragment of black basaltic stone of a very
fine grain, and similar marks are drawn with the
touch-needles on it till the colour be exactly match-
ed, and upon referring to the needle the degree of
alloy is immediately ascertained with great accu-
racy. The operation of proving gold by fire is not
practised, the tou^h-needhs being considered a

1 99 SKAXE-C ATCHER9.

perfectly sure metly)d of determining the purity of
the metaL

Interest in China is at a high rate, the usual pre-
mium for money being twelve per cent per ainntfen,
or double the legal rate of interest of our own
country. Usury is much practised, and where ne-
cessity obliges the unfortunate to borrow money
from individuals who live upon the miseries of
their fellow men, the per centage extorted is often
treble or quadruple the established rate, depending
always on the probability of repayment.

SNAKE-CATCHERS.

There are many poor persons who employ
themselves in capturing serpents, in the neighbour-
hood of most large cities, where they expose them
to view for a trifling.remuneration. In order to pre-
vent accidents, the snakes are carried in close
baskets or wicker cages,^ well secured. Iii this man-
ner the most dangerous serpents are carried through
the streets, and large boas of ten or twelve feet in
length are exhibited in the open squares. In most
instances the fangs are extracted from the venom-
ous species, but on one or two occasions I have ob-
served the men handle with impunity the deadly
cobra de capello and other very fatal reptiles ap-
parently protected only by an antidote of pounded
herbs rubbed upon the hands, the aversion of the

SNAKS-CATCHSB8. 197

serpents to which was so great, that though pro-
yoked to madness they refused to bite at any part
touched by it I obtained a small portion of this
preparation, which appears to be nothing more than
a variety of bruised herbs rolled up into cylinders
and dried. As many frauds are practised in matters
of this kind, it is not improbable that some previ-
ous preparation had .been made iise of to protect the
man who trifled in this manner with snakes whose
bites are fatal in a few minutes.

Some of the superstitions among the lower clas-
ses relative to serpents, are amusingly ridiculous.
Upon the occasion of my buying from a snake-
catcher a very large J?oa, the house steward or com-
prador assured me with great gravity, that when
the animal had attained the length of a thousand /e,
it would be immediately translated to heaven ! I
could only reply, that when the animal had
attained this .size, it was very probable .that
the catastrophe would take place. A number
of wild cats were in possession of the same man,
two of which I purchased for preserving the skin^
-as specimens of zoology. When the operation was
completed, he solicited the bodies, which of course
I very freely gave him, and the next day I found
them in a large terrene, soaking in a sea of China
wine, in which they had been very carefully stew-
ed. This preparation I understood was a panacea,
an elixir of life, with which this pious Oriental
proposed to prolong the life of his father, who was
akeadj at a very advanced age. ^

17» ^ ^

19ii CHINESE LANOrAOEr

. CHINESE LANGUAGE.

- The complicated nature of the Chinese language,
and the difficulties experienced by learners at the
commencement of their studies, have deterred
most persons from pursuing the language further
than the mere rudiments. Indeed, except as a
medium for official communication with the na-
tives, or the more important objects of the mis-
sions, there is in reality little to be gained for this
laborious study. It is to be hoped that the period
is*not far distant when the relations between China
and foreigners will assume a more social character,
and in the event of a general trade being permitted,
it will then be highly important for merchants re-
siding in the country to be conversant with the
language of its inhabitants.

The primitive language of China appears to have
been simply rude representations of objects or of
relatives by which ideas were communicated.
These symbols, or hieroglyphics, for such indeed
they were, have been supposed to have an identical
origin with the Egyptian, and under the proper
head I have given some comparisons. In course
of time, the want of a more extended alphabet, or
rather catalogue of words, was experienced, and
these simple rudiments were joined, to form com-
pound characters, and to modify their significa-

CHINESE J.ANOnA0E. 199

tions. Gradually also the precise manner of draw-
ing, or writing these words degenerated, and be-
came a kind of running band in comparison. In
this manner the modern characters in use at pre-
sent .were created, bearing scarcely any resem-
blance to the originafls from whence they were de-
rived. At present there is a further abbreviation
observable in what is called the modern running-
hand character. Each word consists of distinct
portions, or keys, which constitute the alphabet of
the language: they are above two hundred in num-
ber. By means of these keys, a word sought for
in the dictionary is found In the following manner.
We take, as an example, any word having the key
jirij and counting the number of strokes in the cha-
racter exclusive of the key, we turn to this radical
in the dictionary, and proceeding until we find the
section headed by the proper number of extra
strokes, with a little patience we find the word in
question, followed by the meaning and quoted pas-
sages illustrating its several applications.

The various interpretations are very perplexing
to the student, and the accents and intonations by
which words written in the same manner are dis-
tinguished, very diflScult to acquire- It is said that
the whole number of separate sounds do not ex-
ceed fifteen hundred, while the number of charac-
ters is about forty thousand, making an average of
about thirty words to each sound. The difficulty
in conversation of distinguishtiig them, sometimes

200 CBINEBE LANGtTAdE.

obliges the parties to urriie the doubtful charaeter
in order to be understood.

The ancient hieroglyphic character is now a
species of black-letter, and is used for seals, and
similar purposes, but never for ordinary writings.
« Several dialects of the language are in use in dif-
ferent parts of the empire. The pure Chinese, or
the court dialect, is spoken by men of letters, and
is in use among official persons. At Pekin there
is a species of Tartar-Chinese dialect which is gain-
ing ground rapidly, and promises to take place of
the classic language of the learned. This court
dialect is exclaimed against as barbarous, but being
in use at Pekin, is of course the fashion. The pure
Chinese is usually termed the Nanking dialect, m:
the Kwan-hwOf the mandarin tongue; it prevails
in Ho-nam, Keang-natij and Sze^chuen. To the
.inhabitants of Canton, who speiak a very corrupt
dlalfct, the Kwan-hwa is nearly unintelligible.
The word^ phrases, and the idiom, are isimilar, the
difference consisting chiefly in the sound. At Ma-
cao there is a further corruption of the Canton dia-
lect. In the province of Ftlh-kegn the dialect is
still more corrupt, and equally unintelligible to the
people of Nankin, or Canton.

The language of Cochin-China, Formosa, JETat-
nan, Japan, and Corea, is Chinese, differing only
in the pronunciation, which is essentially different,
as well as the idiomatic expressions. The written
language is a perfect medium of communication

CHINESE LANCKTAGE. dOl

between natives of these different countries, though
entirely unable to maintain a conversation with
each other.*

The writing of the Chinese is executed with a
hair pencil and India ink, the pencil being held
perpendicularly! Feapv write with great . rapidity,
but as each character is a word, they are able to
express much in a short time. Some of their spe-
cimens of calligraphy are extremely* beautiful,, and
facility in writing a beautiful hand, is a talent of
which they are justly proud,

Signatures are usually made with a. stamp or
seal, and red ink, placed over a part of the writing.
The signature of his Imperial Majesty is always
made in red ink, whence is derived the term
"vermilion edict," which signifies a document
bearing the autograph of the monarch*

• To those curious upon the subject of the langM^ge of
China, the dictionsuy of the Rev. Robert Morrison will furnish
every information on this fruitful subject, I have taken occa-
sion to speak of this valuable work before, and I again rejoice
in an opportunity of contributing my share of the gratitude
which the literary world owes to its persevering and indefati-
gable author. Those who have not examined this great un-
dertaking, cannot imagine the labour necessary to its compo-
sition, and such as have any knowledge of the language, are
surprised at the e^rtraordinary erudition displayed in it. My
motive for this laudatory note, is honestly to notice one of the
most curious works existing, which has too long suffered frooi
unmerited negleot, .

2M BfeBXLLI0ir8--<;iTIL WAB8.

REBELLIONS— CIVIL WARS.

Rebbllions and insurrections frequently occur
in the provinces, from the rapacity of the officers
of government, or the scarcity of food. The failure
of the crops is often followed by so great a scar-
city as to cause famines to a dreadful extent In the
province of Shan-tung, and some other hilly and -
wild districts, the poor, who are distracted and op-
pressed by the officers who govern them, fly to the
strong holds and passes of the mountains, and there
establish themselves in large bodies of banditti, who
Waylay travellers and destroy them, and not un-
frequently make successful descents upon the
neighbouring inhabitants, who are not provided
with the means of repelling them. Troops are very
frequently sent to subdue these banditti, bqt from
the secure situations they choose for their retreats,
the attacks of the imperial troops seldom give them
much uneasiness. Some of the most formidable bo-
dies have been composed of monks or priests of
the Fuh sect, who from being abject mendicants,
have ended in becoming robbers, shaking off all
fear and restraint, and indulging in the most feroci-
ous excesses of cruelty and rapine. There are in
some districts, tribes or clans of persons who go-
vern themselves, and do not admit that they are
subject to the laws of the empire; they lead a kind

THE DRAGON BOAT FSSTIYAL. • d09

of shepherd's life^ and are nn|g)iftirrihrrl as ban-

The late Tartar rebellion, headed by Chang-kih-
urhy was the most alarming that has occurred for
many years, and the time required to quell it, de-
monstrated too plainly the desperation of the op-
pressed people, and the inefficiency of the imperial
troops.

THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL.

A CURIOUS festival takes place throughout the
empire on the 17th of June, which is called the'
Dragon boat, or Wat-yune^s day. The origin of
this curious custom is said to. have been the follow*
ing. '^ It was instituted in honour of an eminent
statesman, who, having attained great reputation,
was thwarted and disappointed by the intrigues of
bad men, which so disgusted him with life, that
* Ae embraced a stoney^ and threw himself into the
Mei-lo stream. His body was never found, and the
long Dragon boats j which about the 17th of June
annually race, with clamorous gongs and discord-
ant drums, on the rivers and coasts of China, pre-
tend to be searching for the body of Wat-yune.^^*
These boats derive the name of iung-chuen,^ or
dragon boat, from, their peculiar form, wjhich is

* Morrison. , ,• . ,

j^()4 ' THE DEAGON BOAT FESTIVAL.

long and very ns^lpw, the bow decorated by a large
carved and painted dragon's head, and the stern
terminating in a tail, giving the boat very much
the appearance of a large serpent floating upon the
surface of the water. Small ones are from twenty
to thirty feet long, while the larger kind exceed
an hundred, and are very narrow in proportion
to the length, being little more 1j^ sufGiciently
so to admit of two men seating themselves oa
each bench. They carry from twenty to one
' hundred and forty men, two-thirds of which are
sowers, the rest steering, beating gongs, drums,
cymbals, and waving flags in the most noisy and
violent manner.

The centre of the boat is occupied by an im-
mense drum, over which flies a large silken flag.
On this drum two men beat time to the strokes of
the oarsmen, who reply to each blow with a kind
of shout A pair of gongs is placed at either end of
the boat, and numerous silken canopies of a circu-
. lar form at intervals of a few feet. The boats
are extremely shallow, and when loaded with
their full complement, rise but a few inches above
the water. The stern of the boat is appropriated to
the steersmen, who use a very long paddle to guide
it with. The boats are of such immense length,
that, in the narrow channels of a river, crowded by
myriads of small boats, it is impossible to turn
them, and consequently, besides a man in the bow,
who stands waving a streamer, there are other
steejDsmen who perform their office, when it is ne-

THE DRAGON BOAT VESTXTAL. S05

cessary to row the boat in an opposite direction.
When it becomes expedient to retrograde, the
rowers, at a signal from the large drum, rise and
turn their faces the contrary way, and then propel
the.boat stern foremost. The dragon boats are urg*
ed along by quick short stroke^ of paddles about
four feet long, and from the . number of men and
the narrowne^ of the boats, they fly through the
water with amazing rapidity.

The rowers are usually dressed in conical bam-
boo caps, such as are commonly worn by^coolies or
labourers ia Canton, white shirts, and blue drawers^
The men who beat the drums^and gongs, wear blue
clothes, white sashes, and a large straw hat lined
with blue.

The dragon boats are owned by private indivi-
duals, who hire them out to large parties of the
populace, who are on these occasions riotous,
noisy, and by their violent endeavours to out*
strip each other in the race frequently cause se-
rious accidents. Fights occtfr between the crews
of racing boats, and in their anger they pro-
ceed, regardless of the small boats on the river,
many of which are run in{o and destroyed, the
crews sometimes being drowned. The great length,
and little beam of the boats, causes them to vibrate
very much when going rapidly through the water,
and instances have occurred in which they have
broken in twp, from the jarring of the rowers, and
the weight of their burden.

The 17th of June is the regular day for the oele-
18 •

S0§ TSB OtlVM TB^iHS.

bndon of thia festiyaly and as sueh ia regularly imd
down in the Chineae calendar^ but the amua^aaeBt
is frequently prolonged to the 191^ or ^Otb./Tfaoae
at Macao are built shorter^ higher^ and more aub^
atantially, as they are ro^ed in the harbour where
there is sometimes . eonsiderable sea and swell.
They are much inferior in siiie to those of Canton,,
and carry small crews.

THE OPIUM TRADE.

It is only within a few yeai« that the lucrative
trade in opium has assum^ so formidable an ap-
pearance, NotwiAstanding the periodical fulmina-
tions against the importation ai^d use of this pernio
cious drug, and the captures which are so repeat-
edly made, the trade instead of 'experiencing any
depression or interruption, appears to flourish with
tenfold vigour. ' The quantity of opium consumed
in China, as an indulgence, (for it is little used in
medicine,) is startling to one who is unacquainted
with the subject, and whei^ the ravages it commits
are presented to the eye, the regrets oi the phil»i^
tiiropist are truly sincere. A short indulgence con«
firms in most cases this lamentable ' habit, and tlie
deluded wretch, who seeks in sraoJEing opium, to
banish for a time the isares whieh harass him, too
certainly discovers ere long, that the oblivion whieh
he seeks, is only to be purchaised by constant and

THE OPIinf TKiLBE. Wt

unwearied sacrifices at its shrine. Bdt to descend
to plain English ; those who habitoaily smoke opium,
«re« in the intervals between the excitement of one
dose and the perit>d of its renewal, the most mise-
rable and nerveless creatures, the artificial tone of
their sprits being only purchased by their devo-
tion to this destructive habit

It is not within the object of the present work to
enter into particular commercial details, and there-
fore it is supposed that the statement in the appendix
of the deliveries of opium at Lin-tin, will convey a
pretty icorrect idea of the magnitude of this flagi-
tious commerce. In perusing the table, it is to be
remembered, that the number of chests there enu-
merated, does not constitute the entire annual sup
ply of the Empire*, for in it are not included the
very large transactions which take place art. Macao,
or the qtiantity imported from Batavia, Singapore,
&c. in native vessels^ an account of which cannot
be taken. This qiiantfty is undoubtedly very
large, and would, if ascertained, in all probability,
amount to a greater number of chests than is gene-
ihadly imagined.

The importatioh of opium in any shape, is
strictly prohibited by the laws of China, and from
time to time the most severe imperial, and provin-
cial edicts have been issued to prevent it, but in
vain. So general is the habit ^of using this drug
among all classes who can afford it, and many who
cannot, that it is found futile to attempt a suppres-
sion of the traNi6, by meaiui of ofiScers of every

208 THE OPITTK TBASXr.

rank, most of whom, are themselves regular con-
sumers of the drug, and consequently, very remiss
in enforcing orders which would deprive them of
so great a gratificatioa. In addition to this, the
yigilance and ingenuity of the smugglers, baffle
such of the revenue cruizers as pursue thqaci, and
thus captures of opium bosits are utifrequent, and
seldom accomplished without a severe contest.

Dangerous as the occupation of an opium smug-
gler is, there is seldom a want of desperate and
needy men, who willingly engage themselves to
form the crews of the boats. ^ A disguise is assum-
ed in general, by hanging the bolts with nets,
baskets, and other peaceful appendages, in the
same manner as in the regular fishing boats, so that
it is almost impossible to detect a smuggler, except
by discovering the contraband articles on board.

The boats employed in this business, are long^
narrow, and built for swiftness, rowed by thirty or
thirty-five oars, and havifig two large mat sails, to
which a smaller one, occasionally set upon a small
shifting mast, placed on the stern, may be added.
According to the size of the boat, the number of
men is greater or less, but they are generally found
with upwards of thirty men on board, including
the clerks of the opium dealers at Canton, who go
down to deliver the order for the drug, aqd super-
intend the weighhig on board ship. In cases
of emergency, the services of every one are re*
quired to work or fight.

Here it will, be necessary to explain the mode

THE opium: tkade. S09

in WMch (Riles of opiam are made at Canton. The
persons who purchase this drug from the foreign
merchants .there, are mostly brokers^ and trade
little on their ownaccoont^ atftififg aimply as agents
between the buyer and seller, receiving their cdttir-
ntiission however from the former. On purchasing
a lot of opium, the money is either paid previous
to the delivery of the order, or the sale is made on
credit The orders, or ^chifSy^* as they are call-
ed^ are mere notes to the captain or^ commanding
officer, to deliver to the bearer a specified number
of chests. When sales are^ made en credit, it is
customary to pay a sum agreed upon as bargain-
money, which is forfeited in case of non-com-*
pliance with the terms of aale. A lot of opium
passes through the hands of matly persons, b^
naeans of these orders, without any of the parties
ever seeing it In so dangerous a^ trade, where the
fluctuations of the market are at times of the most
alarming kind, it may easily be supposed that great
tact and finesse are requisite for conducting exten-
sive operaticms successfully. €orrect infoi^tnation,
as to the probable importations, the stodk oti hind,
and the price it is likely to fetch, i^ indispensably
necessary. So variable is the Market, that gr^at
caution is required in sales and puirchasefs, atfd few
men are better diplomatists than Ihie Aiercbants
and Chinese brokers.

* In Bengaly and most parts of India, the word <eUf is used
tot a letter or note of any kind^ it has ihxH been iinjidited by
the l&iglish into China.

18*

210 TKS OPIUM TRADE.

Patnoy BenareSf and Demaun furnish the best
opium; that which is imported from Turkey is not
liked so well, and is used to mix with the other
kinds. PatfM is in globular masses, covered witii
poppy kaveSf9iXiA is in asemi-fluid state. Benares and
Malway are of greater consistency, the latter being
solid, and packed in baw-dust. The <:hests .are
. well covered, to prevent injury from damp, but io
spite of all preqaution, numbers are damaged.
With the dealers, the mere appearance of injury is
sufficient to make them refuse a chest, for the drug
is so costly, that they dread the slightest imperfec-
tion, which may endanger the sale of it. Damaged
chests are sold always at a c;onsiderable loss, and
where very much iiyured, are entirely unsaleable^
if there be a full stock of good opium on band,
dn the delivery of opium,* the drug is taken out
of the chests, carefully cleaned from extraneous
matter, and weighed in bags made of rushes; in
these it is carried away. Pat^a is weighed a se-
cond time in the smuggler's boat, and the weight of
each bag marked on a small square piece of red
paper pasted on it. In consequence of drying, the
weight of opium varies considerably from the ori-
ginal invoice account, and therefore, it is customary
to insure the weight to the purchaser, and if short
to make up the deficiency from another chest

* Formerly, the smuggling of opium was carried on from
the ships at Whampoa. At present, this is no longer done,
the whole of the opium brought in a ship, is now deposited
on boud the opium vessels at Lin4in,

TAAfiE OF GHIKA. i^ll

One hundred and five catties of a pound and a
third each; are commonly secured to each chest.
A customary fee is paid to the captains of the
opium ships for each chest they deliver. Of late
years, this perquisite, which constitute a large ad-
dition to a commander's annual income, has been
considerably reduced. * .

Formerly some caution and secrecy were ne-
cessary in going on boai:d of the ships at Lin-tin,
but now the smugglers c^me down in the middle
of the day, and sweeping alongside, go boldly on
board, in the face of the revenue cruizers, most of
whoo) are bribed, and all of whom are justly un-
willing to risk a battle, except when they have
considerable odds in their favour. ^

TRADE OF CHINA.

Thb native import trade is very considerable,
and employs vast numbers of vessels of all sizes,
which trade to Corea, Japan, Formosa, Hai-nan,
Manila, the Moluccas, Cochin-China, Batavia,
&c. Of the mode in which mercantile transactions
are conducted among the Chinese themselves, we
know but little. Obligations are in use, but in the
event of failureiij the natives seldom carry the mat-
ter into the courts, as .the delays, expenses^ and

* In the Appendix^ some memoranda relaiiye to the con*
sumption of opimn wiU be jpiven.

did TBADfi 09 CHIKA.

diffieaKy of obtainiag justice, are very great. De-
faulters usually ctecamp, leaving the residue of
their property at the mercy of tiieir creclitops, who
generally spare nothing.

The inland coiii^erce is ioimensej The couatry
is traversed in every direction by navigable streams
and magnificent canals covered with boats, laden
with the produce and manufactures of the ooootry,
01* the luxuries imported from abroad. The arri-
ves and departures of the immetise canal boats, the
discharging of their cargoes, or the reception of
return freight, keep the rivers in a state of the
gl'eatest bustle and activity, and afford employ fiye&t
to thousands of labouring people. . In (he domestic
trade the greatest itenis are silk and tea, while in
the imports salt is the leading article, and the trade
in it a monopoly in the hands of certain merchants
who purchase their prfvileges from government
The salt arrives in junks, which are restricted to «
partieular portion of the river, and the transship-
ment aiid estimate of duties is performed under
the inspection of custom-house officers, whose boats
are cruizing constantly among the vessels of the
fleet to prevent smuggling.

The trade with foreigners who resort to China
is conducted on principles totally .difierent from
those which regulate commercial transaotions^among
ibo natives, and in spite of the resirietiotis which
are imposed upon it, there is perhaps no place in
the world where business is eonducted with more
regularity and safety.

TRikBE OF CHINA. 213

On the arrival of a ship, the consignee^ or supra-
cargo, arranges with one of the hong merchants to
secure it, as it is called. The merchant so secur*
ing the ship, makes himself responsible for the du-
ties, good conduct, &c. of the pet'sdns on board
during their stay, and as an ^equivalent, receives a
considerable portion of the iftip's business.* Until
the ship is. secured no cargo can be removed from
it, and immediately afterwards permission is given
for the chop-boats, or lighters, to bring up the
merchandise if required. As soon as the arrange^
ments are completed,- one or two custom-house
boats are attached to each ship, with an officer to
prevent smuggling, but when it is necessary to" do
so^ a small bribe is sufficient for these persons, who
very facetiously remark, that ^^tvhen a man's eyes
are. closed with dollars, it is impossible to see
through them!' '

A few days after, a number of mandarins come
on board to measure the ship, and determine the
port charges. Ships are divided into first, second,
and third rates, and according to the rate, so is the
measurement or tonnage duty. t ' ^

* Any irregularities of the people of a vessel are severely
visited on the hong merchants by the mandarins, who ettort
large sums in consequence.

f The three rates of vessels measure^as follows, per cubit i —
1st Glass — ^154 cubits, a 7 taels, 4 mace, 4-candaree,nfly 8 cash.
2d 125 6 8 4

3d under 125 4 7 8^ 8

It may be remarked that these chiarges are evaded by many
vessels^ which, instead of coming up to the port anchorage at

814 TBADE QF CHINA.

The port fee, or cumskaWy as it is termed,
amounts to 1950 taels, or 2700 dollars. .Latterly
strong efforts have beclti made to effect a reduction
of this imposition, but unsuccessful! jr. Aiingutst
Is employed ta arrange the settlement of duties, the
landing and shipmen^ of goods, &c. ,and through
him also is obtained tcip ctearance of the ship when
ready for ^sea. A considerable fee or present, (216
dollars,) 11^ made to the linguistin consideration of
the services he renders.

The cargoes of vessels are brought up and down,
the river in a peculiar kind of boat, cdled chcps/^
well adapted to the purpose.- They are well built
md capacious, the hull something like a canal boat,
atkd are propelled by a huge mat sail suspended on
ft singled tall mast In calm weather scujls and long
bamboo poles are used, and- by their m^ans ^e
boats work up against a current at a very fai^
rate..

When the merchandise arrives at Canton, if it
be not already sold, it is removed to the go^ownSf

Whampoa, lie at lin-tin, or off ]iacab» recemii|^ their ctffgoea
from ships coming down, which are not entirely filled by the
owners or consignee, and therefore bring c^own merchandise
on freight.

• This word cjiop is of itiost universal- sigilificalibtt, but ge-
nerally applies to govemroeiit edicts, pa!ssports> &c. Th'ns,
a ehop-boat is a licensed ytosel used in tf«ni^orthig cugoes
to or from the ships. ' A chop-house is not> as some newly-4^
rived gentlemen have imagined, a place of refreshment, but a
custom-house, or revenue 6fHce. The iJttm first chop implies
first quality.

tI^BJU>£ OV .€»»ERA. filS

or warehouses attached to tbe factories, or is 4epo*
sited in the stores of oue of the hong merchants.
The hongs aare very eonyenient .for this purpose,
being dry, airy, and very large*

The ease and expedition with which business is
cotAdueted in China, renders nierea(\tile transact
tions more .agreeable tfa^e than in any other part
of the world. Most sales and purchases are ^ect-
ed for cash, and thus, the inQonvenienees of notes,
discounts, &e. are in most oases avoided. When
sales are made on credit, it is very necessary to use
g^reat caution, and to be quite sih^ of the character
of the person to whom the goods are eirtmsted.
GenenJIy speaking, the high^ classes of ipercan-
tile fiaen are^ trustworthy to a certain extent, while
on the contrary, ihe petty dealers are not to be be^
lieved an instant, or credited a shilling, as they are
in most cases totally devoid of honourable principle
in money matters, and never hesitate to take ad-
vantage of a foreigner, whenever an opportunity
occurs. ~

In purchasing goods from any but persons of
known and well-established reputation, great care
is indi^ensable, and much attention is required in
examining the goods, in order to be certain that
they correspond wilii the samples.

In determining weights also, it is necessary to
be well guarded against impo^tion,' and as a gene*
ral rule, it may be received,~that less danger is to be
apprehended from respectable men, to whom per-
haps a higher price is giveo, than to i^tiy .dealers^

216 TRABE OF CpiKA.

vrho undersell their neighbours. Nevertheless some
of the petty merchants are to foe depended on, and
oo the other hand, some of much higher, standing
require to be watched. In order to prevent frauds
on board the chop-boats, the native merchants gene-
rally send down a confidential servant to see- there
is no case opened or package changed.

Teas, silks, &c.. are brought to Canton in the ori-
ginal packages, covered with mats. On their arri-
val, the boJEes or bales are r^ifitted or changed,
marked afresh, and in that state exported, after
having been weighed, marked, and numbered, in
the European style, and a certain number inspect-
ed at random, to guard ^against imppsitions. A pe-
culiar kind of matting is used to cover cases with,
when desired, as a precaution against damage, and
as a farther security they are lashed with* split
rattan.

Cargoes are sent down to the ships in chop-boats
from the factories of the. hong merchants, except
the last, or next to the last, which carries the silks
and miscellaneous articles; it is therefore called the
chow-chow chop,* and usually loads opposite the
consignee's residence. > The vendors of the small
articles in question, give to the purchaser notes for
the duties, which are handed to the linguist, who
settles the amount with the custom-house. When
the lading of the ship is complete, and every thing

• Chow-chaw. This, in Ae slang of Canton, means either
foody or a cbll^otipn of Tarious trifling articles. In the latter
sense it b applied to the ^iop in question..

TRADE OF CHINA. 217

prepared for her departure, an application is made
to the HoppOy or collector of the customs, for the
ship's clearance, or grand chop y which is generally
received the second day after the permission to de-
part has been asked for.

This document is delivered by the pilot at the
lower battery at the Bocca Tigris, and the vessel
is then at liberty to proceed to sea. In addition to
the grand chop, there is another, which is retained
by the captain of the ship, being a kind of order for
the ship's admission into any Chinese port, in case
of her meeting with accident. The tenor of both
documents is very pompous and absurd.

From the above, some idea may be formed of
the mode in which business is conducted, but in or-
der to present an ample and comprehensive view,
it would require more space than can here be de-
voted to it. Particular rules apply to certain com-
modities, and many are prohibited, some as im-
ports and others as exports. Rice alone is not sub-
ject to duty, and a ship coming in with a certain
quantity, and no other cargo, escapes the port
charges.

Of silk, eighty peculs* to each vessel is the pre-
scribed quantity, but the regulation is evaded by
sending down the extra quantity by other vessels,
and then transshipping it.

* A pecul is a Chinese weight of one hundred cattie?, each
equivalent to a pound and a tlurd, making the pecul one hun-
dred and thirty-three and a third pounds.
19

tlB FISHBRISS.

FISHERIES.

Saltbd fish, and a coarse kind of rice, consti^
tute the principal food of the lower classes of the
Chinese empire. Such being the case, the fishe-
ries on the coast, and in their numeroas riyers, are
considered very justly, as matters of the greatest
importance, and are governed and regulated ac-
cordingly, the stations, seasons, &c. being appointed
by law, and supervised by proper officers. A
stranger who has seen the most extensive Euro-
pean fisheries, can form but an imperfect idea of
the number of boats, and human beings employed
in this pursuit, in China. In fine weather, fleets
of fishing vessels, amounting sometimes to more
than a thousand in number, and from ten to fifty
tons in burden, may be seen from Macao, standing
out to sea, or returning laden with spoil. Each
vessel containing at least six men, women, and
children, and many of them fifteen or twenty. A
register is kept by the proper mandarins of all
boats employed in the fisheries, and they are regu-
larly numbered and licensed. Sometimes the
boats are lost in great numbers, when surprised in
gales of wind at an unusual distance from the
shore, and hundreds of unfortmaate creatures are
drowned, for in the sudden gales prevalent in the
China Sea, these boats are almost immediately
swamped, owing to their build, and the indecision

FISHERUBf* 219

and timidity of the natives in moments of ex-
treme peril.

The salt used for the preservation of fish in
China, is of an inferior quality, owing to admix-
ture of bitter salt, and consequently its preserving
powers are much impaired. The salted fish of
Canton, is almost uneatable by foreigners, but the
natives appear to consume it with great relish.
There are few kinds of fish which are rejected as
articles of food, and those from a prevalent opinion
of their poisonous qualities. Skate, the shark, and
many kinds of coarse fish are salted in large pieces,
while the smaller kinds are preserved entire.

The JBieh^e-mary a species of marine slug,
much prized as a delicious food, is taken in
very small quantities on the Chinese coast, the
greater portion coming from the Moluccas, where
it is fished for by the Malays, and brought to China
in junks.

Crabs, lobsters, and other crustaceous animals
are caught in great numbers on the coast, and are
chiefly consumed in a dried state. Shell-fish are
abundant. A delicious clam of large size, cockles,
scallops, and excellent oysters are plentiful at the
mouth of the river, and a species of fresh water
muscle, already noticed, abounjds in the fresh water
streams.

The fisheries in the neighbourhpod of Macao,
are the source of a considerable revenue to the
Chinese government The boats which are used

220 THE HOHO MERCHANTS.

in fishing outside^ are large^ with high sterns, two^
masted, and sail well. They usually have a dozen
persons on board, including women and children.
From the shallowness of the water in the bay, the
boats cannot approach near enough to land their
fish. They are, in consequence, compelled to em-
ploy small boats, which are ready at all times to
convey their cargoes ashore to the chop-house,
where they are weighed, and the duties levied.

Sometimes the number of these fishing vessels is
very great, and many small boats from the islands
come in company, at which time, the beach pre-
sents a most noisy and busy scene, the varieties of
fish being great, and the quantities brought ashore
from sometimes fifty or sixty vessels, enormous.

There are many very large boats, which cruize
for weeks at sea, and the fish being salted and
packed, are transferred to smaller boats, by which
they are brought in..

THE HONG MERCHANTS.

This commercial association is composed of
men appointed by the government, who are called
collectively, the Co-hong. Death and removals
contribute to vary the number constantly. During
my residence, the number was smaller than it had
ever been, viz. eight, Hou-qiuiy Mow-quay Puan-

THE HOKa MERCHANTS. 221

kei'^ua, Man-hop ^^ Gau-qua^ Fat^qua, Pac-
qua,* and King-qua. The association is intended
as a monopoly of the foreign trade, they haying
the exclasive privilege, by an imperial grant, of
supplying foreigners with all merchandise, with a
few trifling exceptions. In spite of this, however,
the law .is evaded by the outside-merchaniSy as
they are called, by trading under a hong merchant's
name, and in his house, being ostensibly only
assistants in his business, while in fact, they are
paying a large sum for the privilege of using his
name to sell their goods to the foreign super-
cargoes. From these men, and the hong mer-
chants, the great proportion of goods imported into
the United States is purchased, while the East
India Company deals exclusively, and by contract,
with the hong merchants, their business being
divided into a certain number of shares, which are
bestowed on them, according to their several
abilities to comply with the terms of contract. The
hong merchants derive their title from their ware-
houses, which are long ranges of buildings, with a
wide avenue, or passage, from one extremity to
the other; these in Chinese are called Hung, and
by corruption Hang. SecurUy*merchants is a
title which they also bear, from the circumstance
of their securing, or being responsible for the
duties, &e. of ships, as above stated.

* These two merchants have been banished to Tartary, in
consequence of failure.

19*

222 THE HONG MERCHANTS.

In case of difficulties with foreigners, the hong
merchants are responsible to government, and fre-
quently suflfer from the infliction of most enormous
fines.* The life they lead, though generally the
means of attaining great health, is one continued
scene of anxiety and alarm, as they are subject to
the capricious tyranny of the officers of govern-
ment, who seldom allow an opportunity escape of
sgtieezing'y as it is significantly termed.

The Chinese merchants have frequently incurred
considerable censure from their foreign friends,
owing to the unresisting manner in which they
comply with the extortions of the officers connect-
ed with the custom-house department in Canton.
It is very certain that they have paid on some oc-
casions very large sums of money for certain as-
signed reasons, the justice of which was not suffi-
ciently clear. The uselessness of remonstrance is
strongly argued by them, as they themselves de-
clare that no forcible means are used to obtain the
money which is not forthcoming at demand, but
that the officers, exercising the powers of search
with which they are invested by government, take
especial care, in the event of non-compliance with
their demands, to open, search, and greatly damage
their import or export goods. When we are made

* The principal hong merchant, Hou-quOf has attained a
very disagreeable notoriety, from the frequent squeezes he
has suffered. In the case of the Wabash, he was fined $ 300,-
000, two-thircU of which^ however, was returned to him by
the Emperor's oideni.

POPULATION OP CHINA. 223

acquainted with these facts^ we can no longer accuse
tbem of not having courage to prevent evils, which
ihey plainly show us are irremediable.

POPULATION OF CHINA.

According to the most accurate statements, the
population of China proper, is much less than the
accounts of the Catholic missionaries would lead
us to imagine. Dr. Morrison states, that the census
last taken makes the population of the districts,
and provinces of China, as follows, not including
Chinese Tartary, &c.

Hing-Mng - - - - 390,714

Shing'king - - - - 95,929

Kingsze, ChulSy or Pe^he-le - 3,504,038
Klangsoo . - - - 28,967,235
Oan-hwuy - - r - 1,438,023
Shan-se .... 1,860,816

Shan-iung - - - - 25,447,633
Ho-nan . - . . 2,662,969

Shen-sze .... 257,704

Kan-sUh .... 340,086

Che-keang - - - - 18,975,099
Keang-se - - - - 5,922,160
Hoo-ptk .... 24,604,369

Hoo-nan .... 9,098,010

Carried over - - 123,564,785

224 CHINESE THEATRICALS.

Brought over . - - 123,564,785

Sze-chuen ... - 7,789,782

FUh-keen - - - - 1,648,528

Kwang-tung . . - 1,491,271

Kwang'sze - - - - 2,569,518

Yu-nan - - - - 3,083,459

Kwei-chow - - - - 2,941,391

Total - - - - - 143,088,734

In addition to the above, an extra allowance of
two millions must be made for the army and navy.

CHINESE THEATRICALS.

The state of dramatic literature is at a very low
ebb, or rather the improvements are uncommonly
slow. Theatrical exhibitions are very common,
but arc either very ridiculous, or disgracefully ob-
scene. In fact, noise and rant appear ta be the
grand recipe for a first rate tragedian, and the most
ridiculous buffoonery the acme of comic r^resen-
tation. The subjects are generally selected from
the ancient history of the empire, and the costumes
of antiquity are carefully copied. As to scenery,
or ebange of scene, there is none. The disposition
of a few tables and chairs is the only variety. No
regular theatres exist, and the representations are
generally conducted in houses rapidly constructed

AdltlC0LTUAB. 225

of bamboos^ thatched with palm leaves, raised for
the purpose, and demolished immediately after-
wards. Upon festival occasions, rich individuals
hire companies of strolling actors, to perform plays
in temporary edifices, and the plays, or " Sing-
songs j^ which occur in the public streets, are got
up by voluntary contributions of the householders.
Some of the actors enjoy great reputation as per-
formers, while they are in other respects contemned
and despised, the profession being considered infa-
mous, a3 well it may, the individuals composing it
being vicious and unprincipled, almost without an
exception. The Chinese tragedy is a ridiculous
exhibition, only calculated to excite the laughter
and derision of an European audience.

AGRICULTURE.

D£T£RMiN£D and persevering labour have over-
come in China, obstacles which the agriculturists
of Europe or America would turn from in disgust,
or abandon in despair. Where the nature of the
soil is such as to afford no sustenance to vegetable
life, a new and fertile covering is laid upon it, from
which is derived a plentiful harvest. The sides of
hills and abrupt declivities are terraced in order to
cultivate them, and no position of which the far-
mer can possibly avail himself, is ever neglected.
The instruments of agriculturci are rude and

226 AORICULTURX.

clumsy^ but yet with these, the labours of the cul-
tivator are successfully achieved, and no desire is
evinced for their improvement In the southern
provinces, rice constitutes the principal grain,
while in the north, large quantities of excellent
wheat are raised. Near Canton, barley is occa-
sionally seen, and the luxuriant plantations of
sugar-cane, bananas, yams, tarOj and sweet pota-
toes, bear ample testimony of the skill and indus-
try of the natives. Small cattle, and the large
bufialo are employed in ploughing, after which,
the soil is further broken up by hand. Threshing
is performed as with us, and the grain shelled by
being pounded in granite mortars, by pestles on
the end of a lever, moved by the feet. Several
vegetables of foreign countries are gaining ground,
but from some unaccountable reason, they are
found to degenerate in two or three years, and re-
quire to be renev^ed by fresh seed. Fruits are
abundant, and those which are proper to the coun-
try, very delicious, and highly cultivated. Peaches,
apples, and pears, are very indifferent, and those
from the northern provinces, are the only ones
which can be called tolerably good. The cause of
this may be traced to improper cultivation, for a
successful trial on the European plan, at Macao,
produced peaches of fine flavour, and large size,
while those of Canton, are much inferior to the
worst kind of American growth.

In China, the occupation of the agriculturist is
considered highly honourable^ and the annual cere-

BANISHMENT TO TABTART. 2«7

moay at Pekin^ with the impeml ploughing match,
is well known to all who have perused the old ac-
counts of the country.

ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.

Bbibsbt and corruption are th^ unhappy causes
which too frequently delay the course of justice,
and so long has this execrable practice preyailed,
that it is now looked upon by the nativea them-
selyes as past remedy. In suits at law, the litigant
who can command most money, for the purpose ,of
bribing his judge, is almost invariably successful,
and so rare is it to find a magistrate who is proof
against money, that the individual so uncommon,
attains a most gratifying reputation from the people
for his impartial justice, but at the same time earns
such hatred and suspicion from powerful and un-
worthy colleagues, as to expose him perpetually to
removal, and even danger.

BANISHMENT TO TARTARY.

E-LE, a city in Chinese Tartary, and various
parts of Bucharia, are the places of banishment for
Chinese delinquents. The rank of the party makes
a material difference in the nature of his punish-
ment; thus, a common &lo£k, whose offence has not

MB DOMESTIC ANIMALS.

entitled him to suffer death, is transported to Tar*-
tary to labour on the public works, while a bank-
rupt hong merchant, or a public , officer, lives
in comparative comfort, on a stipend allowed
him by government There is a great horror en-
tertained by the inhabitants of Canton of this exile
to the "coW country 9^' as they term it, not only
on account of the inhospitable climate, but from the
ideas they have of the inhabitants. Several hong
merchants who from difficulties in trade, or extra-
vagance, have become bankrupt, after a confine-
ment of several months, or even one or two years,
in Canton, have been sent off to J?-/e, where they
were obliged to remain until the annual instalments,
paid by the Co-hongj had discharged the claims
of their creditors*

DOMESTIC ANIMALS.

European domestic animals are, from their su-
perior magnitude, objects of curiosity and surprise
to the Chinese, whose breeds of the same are, in
most instances, much inferior in size and strength.
The open square in front of the factories is con-
stantly filled by numbers of idlers, who are drawn
thither to gaze at the residents, their bouses, or
the domestic animals which are usually exercised
in the neighbourhood. These animals are, how-
ever, a source of great disquiet to the groups of

POMSSTXC ANIMAIiS. 2^9

men and children, which are scattered about the
square at all hours of the day, none of whom are
perhaps so annoyed and alarmed as the- very nu*
merous barbers who are constantly established
there. A frisky cow frequently makes a dash
among them, and the discomfited operator, with
his patienty is compelled to make a precipitate re-
treat, overturning in their flight various old semp-
stresses, banana merchants, and others who are ly*^
ing in wait for the sailors as they come from the
boats below. They give the preference to their
own diminutive cattle^^with true Chinese obstinacy
of prejudice, finding great fault in the size of pur
cows, and in the spirit of our horses, which to a
native soldier would be totally useless, accustomed
as they are to bestride an animal about the size
of a Shetland poney, perfectly spiritless and do-
cile. The Tartar hprses are larger and more active
animals than those of the southern provinces, most
of them being o{ a reputable size, and more capa-
ble of enduring fatigue than the wretched and
dwarfish horses of Canton, and the neighbourhood*
Those which t have aeen were never shod, and
care Was taken to preserve the tail and mane as
long as possible. In cases where tbese appendages
did not flourish very vigorously^ artificial means
were resorted to by the Chinese jockeys to com^-
plete their personal appearance; hence It frequently
has happened that a stranger purchasing one of
these manufactured steeds, has too late discovered^
to his annoyance and mortifiication, that the fuiimal
20

^30 DOMESTIC ANIMAL5.

had no tail, a very scanty mane, and the beautiful
colours with which the skifi was ornamented was
simply the effect of a temporary dye.

The buffalo is a very large and powerful ani-
mal, but quite tractable, and eminently useful in
agriculture. A herd of them may be seen grazing
quietly under the superintendance of a mere child,
while the unusual sight of a foreigner will so alarm
and annoy them, that they becoriie entirely un-
manageable, and have frequently endangered the
lives of strangers who came upon them unawares.
They are employed in the usual agricultural la-
bours at the plough, harrow, &e. and in some parts
of the empire, for the purposes of draught, their
great strength rendering them very useful in this
service. Their flesh is coarse, and seldom eaten,
the animals being considered too valuable to the
cultivator of the soil to admit of their being exten-
sively used as food. In fact, there exists among
many of the native!^ a strong aversion to killing
this useful and patient -animal. It is considered
ungrateful to destroy the life of one so service-
able, merely for the purpose of gratifying the ap-
petite, and that its usefulness should be a warrant
for its preservation.

I remember to have been much amused by a
kind of print, which I once purchased at a book-
stall, representing a buffalo; the outline composed
of Chinese characters of small size, which being
read regularly, formed an ode in praise of the
animal, and an anathema against its desfa'oyers.

DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 231

This eurious specimen of ingenuity I have pre-
served as a singular specimen of Chinese supersti-
tion.

The breed of swine has long been celebrated for
the small bones, and fine flavour of the flesh. In
size, the Chinese pigs are not equal to our own,
but owing to the rapidity with which they arrive
at a fine condition^ are much valued.

Sheep are common in the northern provinces,
but at Canton they are scarce, and very dear, the
flesh, however, being uncommonly delicious. The
China sheep have the broad tails, similar to the
breed of the Cape of Good Hope. Veal is the only
meat which is not to be had, and in so warm a cli-
mate the loss is not much regretted, , In every
other respect the table is luxuriously furnished;
most of the articles of food in use among us, and
many peculiar to China being abundant, and with
a few exceptions, at moderate prices.

The dogs of China resemble in a great measure
those of the Esquimaux, with this exception, that
they are much smaller, and the most pusillanimous
animals I ever saw, which perhaps arises from
their food, which is composed almost entirely of
rice, the high price of animal food entirely ex-
cluding the dogs from the enjoyment of it. The
prevailing colours are black, and a kind of reddish-
yellow. When about a month old, they are
carried about in baskets, Well cleaned, and amaz-
ingly fat, for sale, and are purchased either for the
lable^ or for the purposes for which dogs are usually

Si$9 FtnrrsHMEKTs.

kept. Their timidity and noise make them good
watch dogs, by alarming every body on the least
noise. They are also exposed cleaned' and scalded
in portions at the butcher's shoptr, and carried on a
bamboo by itinerant meat-sellers. They enter into
the composition of some very savoury doups, which
are high in favour at Canton.

PUNISHMENTS.

China has been long celebrated for the cruelty
of the punishments inflicted by her laws. The
variety and ingenuity of them are certainly Utile
creditable to a people which boasts 6f so high a
degree of civilization, and many of them are un-
equalled among the most barbarous nations. ,

Strangling on an upright cross, is eonsidered the
least ignominious death, inasmuch as it does not
mutilate the body, as iii decapitation, which ia the
second species of punishment, and that which most
frequently occurs. At the execution of the pirates
who murdered the crew of the French .ship " Le
Navigateur,''* most of the foreign residents at
Canton attended by invitation of the magistrates.
The culprits, after visiting a temple near the ex-
ecution ground, where a small piece of. cake was
administered to each, were brought to the ap-

* Vide "Criminal Court," page 186i.

PUNISHMENTS. 235

]>orDted spot in baskets^ suspended from a bamboo,
borne on men^s shoulders. There Ihey were ar-
ranged in a double line^ with their faces directed
towards Pekin. The executioners then struck oflf
their heads with heavy swords, as rapidly as pos-
sible, and threw them into a pile. No motion, or
^sensibility was exhibited; the death appeared to be
instantaneous.*

Rebels are frequently put to most cruel tortures,
and finally cut to pieces! Parricide is also
punished by the most dreadful and lingering death*
Scalding with hot oil, mutilation, and a variety of
other horrible kinds of punishment are appointed
by law for certain offences, and the executioners
unless they have been well paid, seldom abridge
the sufferings of the criminal.

Whipping, which is unmercifully inflicted, and
the punishment called Ke^ a large wooden frame
locked round the neck, are allotted to thieves, &c.
The bamboo is used for all trivial offences, though
sometimes in fornring part of a sentence it is a
very formidable punishment Torture is resorted
to, in order to obtain a confession, by many magis-
trates, although expressly forbidden by the laws of
the empire. Banishment generally terminates a
sentence where the offender escapes death, and
great numbers of convicts are annually sent to

• Some of the heads which were not entirely severed at the
first stroke, were separated by a boy, who followed the exe-
cutioner, with a crooked knife for the purpose.

20*

234 FOOD. ^.

Tartary, to serve as soldiers^ or labour on tbe* pub-
lic works. At the expiration of their term, on a
certificate from the commanding officeir, permission
is given them to return.

In ancient times, many crtfel punishments wefe
in use, which are now discontinued; amodg others,
that called "arrow ears,'* which consisted in bar-
ing an arrow thrust through the cartilage of each
ear, to which was appended a label> stating the
name and offence for which the individual anif-
fered.

In the " Ltee-Kee/^ one of the Chinese classics)
it is stated^ in speaking of the punishments in use
amcMig the ancient Chinese, that, ** those who were
branded with ink, were made door-keepers. Those
whose noses were cut off, were employed in cus-
tom-houses. Those whose feet were cot Dff> Were
sent to take care of orchards, and &ose whose hair
was cut off, were employed as keepers of the
stores."— Vol. 48, p. 4«.

FOOD.

A Chikesi! table presents a singular sight, the
dishes are very numerous, and the variety of pre-
parations, together with the strange substances
composing them, is extremely curious and amus-
ing. The food is served up in bowls, or deep
saucers, consisting principally of stetvs, every thing

700D« d$5

being cut into small portions to obviate the neces-
sity of using knives, for which chop-sticks are
substituted, in the use of which these people
are very dexterous. To a foreigner, the difficul-
ties in using two smooth ivory or wooden sticks
as substitutes for a knife and fork, are at first in*
surmountable, and the onsuccesssful attempts made
by their guests to catch hold of these evasive viands,
are a sonrce of great amusement to the Chinese en*
tertaiders. They themselves take up, with the
greatest ease, the smallest grains of rice, while
they are equally at a loss with ourselves when
compelled to use other means of conveying their
food to the mouth. The dishes at entertainments
given by the hang merchants in Canton^ frequent-
ly exceed an hundred and fifty in number, exclu-
sive of the desserts, which are v6ry splendid, and
beautifully decorated with flowers^ Between the
courses perflimed cloths dipped in hot water art
presented to the guests as napkins. Wine is drunk
from cups of curious porcelain or silver, and some-
times from beautiful vessels of gold, carved and
chased very ingeniously.

The composition of some of the dishes is start-
ling to a foreigner, who refuses, with a very* ill
grace, a delicious stewed puppy, or a mess of
sharks fin soup! The celebrated bird^9 7ie$t8 are
always a principal, and very oostly dish. They
are slewed in cbieken water, and served up with
boiled pigeons eggi, being extremely tasteless aod

336 NUPTIAL CEBBMONIES.

insipid, though, from their gelatinous nature, of
course very nutritious.

Among the lower classes rats are used as food.
In the shops where dried fruit, poultry, and simi-
lar eatahles are sold, rats may almost always be
seen split and dried in the sun. Eggs preserved in
saltpetre,, very stinking fish, and other curious ar-
ticles of food, are in constant use among the na-
tives, though quite impracticable to a foreigner.
Bich'de-marj a Species of marine slug, collected
in great quantities among the Molucca Islands, and
elsewhere, are imported in large quantities, and
used in soups in the same^ manner as the bircPs
nest€, deer^s sinews, and shark* s\fins!

The foundation of every meal is rice, which is
devoured in great quantities. This exceedingly
cheap food is usdd in place of bread in the southern
provinces of the empire, and constitutes the food
of the lower classes, with a few very trifling addi-
tions of fish and vegetable^.

NUPTIAL CEREMONIES.

In China few marriages are the result of previ-
ous attachment between the parties, and the match
is generally managed between the relatives with-
out much reference to the feelings of the husband
or wife. An arrangement is made by the friends.

NI7PTIAI. CEREMONIES. 237

and the amount of presents from the bridegroom
to the bride's family determined, the day appoint-
ed, care being taken to select a fortunate one, as,
for instance, one near the celebration of th& new
year, at which time many marriages are consum-
mated, the season being esteemed particularly aus-
picious. The presents are despatched from the
house of the bridegroom to that of the bride, and a
splendid carved and gilt sedan chair, accompanied '
by bands of music, friends, relations, and servants.
Upon the arrival at the house of the bride the pre-
sents are received, and the lady placed in the
sedan, which is locked, and the key taken by one
performing the office of groomsman. The lady's
maids accompany their mistress from the house of
her parents to her future home. Upon the arrival
at the bridegroom's residence, the key is given
him to liberate the lady, which he does in due
form, they enter the house, perform a sacrifice, &c.
and the ceremony concludes. The friends of the
family feast and rejoice in proportion to their
means, a celebration sometimes lasting several
days, during which time great quantities of food
are consumed, and large sums expended in various
kinds of rejoicings and festivities.

In the event of the husband not being pleased
with the lady when he receives her at the gate of
his house, he is said to be entitled to send her back
to her parents, in consideration of doubling the
sum and presents which were given for her hand.
This, does not often happen, as the husband is per-

23S SAGES OF CHINA.

mitted to espouse as many wives as his means are
equivalent to support, the first wife however al-
ways ranking higher than the rest.

SAGES OF CHINA

The description of Confucius, f Kung-foo-tsze^J
is very singular, and in spite of its extravagance is
fully credited. He is described as being nine cu-
bits and six-teftths in height, and in consequence
he was entitled ^Uhe tall man," having a stature
greatly superior to that of ordinary men. He was
said to have the fprehead of Yaou, the back of
TaoUy &c. as if all the virtues of the ancient sages
were centred in him. His face showed in miniature
the five mountains and the four great rivers of the
Chinese world. He had a high forehead, a protrud-
ing chin, high cheek-bones, and a Roman nose, to
represent the five great mountains. His mouth
stood open and showed his teeth; his nose was con-
torted so as to exhibit his nostrils; his eye exhibit-
ed a protruded pupil, and his ears was so large as
to attract notice. * In these there was a resemblance
to the four great rivers of China imagined. His
hands hung below his knees. His eyebrows exhi-
bited twelve shades of colour, and from his eyes
beamed the sixty -four intelligences!!

• Large ears are esteemed a mark of distinction in China,
probably from this cause.

LONG NAILS. 239

Confucius was a bastard son of Sh^h-hang-hlh
and Ten-^he-neu^ a daughter of the family of Yen*
In spite of the celebrity of Confucius, and of his
high reputation as a philosopher and a moralist,
there are some circumstances of his life preserved, '
which are little calculated to benefit his memory.
From these he defended himself successfully dur-
ing his lifetime, but historians have collected and
handed them down to us, unaccompanied by any
strong proofs to the contrary. The remarks I have
-ventured to make on the subject of the wisdom of
the Chinese sages, will not be refuted by those who
have studied their works. In China, it were impious
to differ from the general opinion, which pronounces
these trite aphorisms the essence of human wisdom,
enlightened by divine inspiration!

LONG NAILS.

The Chinese have many peculiar fashions and
fancies which are remarkable, and one of the most
curious is the industry with which they cultivate
their finger nails. They esteem it a good proof of
a man's being a gentleman, or at least one who is
not obliged to have recourse to manual labour to
procure his subsistence, if he have long nails.
They sometimes allow them to acquire the extra-

• Morrison.

240 CURIOUS EXTRACTS ;FRQM CHINESE BISTORT.

ordinary length of eight or nine inches. In order
to preserve them from external injury, each of the
claws is enclosed in a joint of hollow bamboo, so
that the hand which is graced by these strange or-
naments is rendered nearly useless. The Chinese
ladies are particularly attentive to the preservation
of their nails, which are sometimes an inch or aa
inch and a half long on all the fingers. Their
texture resembles a dry quill very much, and
as they increase in lengtii they curl up at the
edges.

Curious Extracts from Chinese History.

The queen Mei-he, among other exti^aordinary
extravagancies, persuaded her king, Ke6,.to make a
lake of wine, and causing three thousand guests to
be assembled at the sound of a drum, to drink from
it in the manner of 9xen, con^dering the imitation
of brute animals to be a pleasure.

The queen of Chow, Ta-ke, was famous in his-
tory for her cruel ingenuity in the invention of the
most savage tortures. She caused a brazen roller, to
be heated red hot, and smeared with an unctuous
substance, and the fruitless endeavours of the mi-
serable culprits to pass this burning bridge, from
which they continually slipped into the fire, gave
her great delight.

Faou-^ze, the queen of FiWf refused to laugh,

CVBZOUS EXTRACTS FBOJC CHINESE HI8T0B7. 241

until to satisfy her, the king lighted the fire-sig-
nals, which brought the alarmed nobles quickly to
the palace under a false alarm. Subsequently the
king was attacked by Keuen-yiingy who attempted
to murder him; the fire-signals were made, but the
nobles, supposing that it was a frolic, like the first,
ca^ae not, and left the wretched king to perish.

, These. thre^ queens are considered by the Chi-
nese to have ruined the empire during their times.

The story of Paou-szey it will be observed, bears
a strong resemblance to the well-known fable of
the boy and the wolf.

The blind man's son, (viz. Shun^ the ancient
monarch,) although his father was perverse, his
step-mother a termagant scold, and his younger
brother proud and insolent, he still was able to har-
monize them all by his filial piety.

Warfare of the Yuen- Tartars.

To succeed against certain mountaineers, an 6r-
der was issued for the Tartar soldiers to advance,
'each man bearing a bundle of brushwood, with
which he warded ofi* the arrows, and stones thrown
against him, and after approaching half way to the
enemy he was commanded to retreat. Six days re-
petition of this manoeuvre expended the arrows
and stones, which constituted their only arms, and
they were then easily overcome by the Tartar sol-
diers.

ai

242 CtTRIOirS EXTRACTS FROM CHINESE HISTORY.

In attacking cities they drove the neighbouring
villagers^ before them to the walls. Each horse-
man attached ten villagers to himself to provide
fuel, food, or stones to fill up the ditches, night
and day; remissness was rewarded with death.

In a taken town, those who yielded, and those
who resisted, men, women, and children, were in-
discriminately butchered. •

Necromancy.

The Chinese appeal to the decision of the gods,
and of departed sages, and others, in difficult and
doubtful cases, by means of the Ke. A pencil or
reed is suspended over sand, and the invisible be-
ing is supposed to give it motion, and form letters
in answer to the questions put. Foo-ke is " to sup-
port th* Ke/^ 6t make the appeal.

In 1814 a deposed officer of government was
condemned to death for publishing an answer
which he declared he had received in this way
from Confucius. The purport of the answer was,
that the Emperor should depute a Prince to wor-
ship at the tombs of his ancestors instead of going
himself, and that the title " Emperor^^ should be
taken from the Demi-god Kwan-te; ideas which
were declared to breathe the most daring impiety.

The government commonly discourages the prac-
tice.*

• Vide Morrigon's Diet.

NJ^TUBAL HISTORY. 243

NATURAL HISTORY.

The ideas entertained by Chinese writers on the
subject of animals, are vague and imperfect, fable
and absurdity being mingled in the strangest man-
ner with truth and good sense. Several works on
natural history have been published at Canton, de-
corated with wood-cutf very indifferently executed,
but sufficiently distinct to enable us to identify the
animals they were intended to represent. They
possess no regular systemsCtic arrangement of ani-
mated beings, and commit the most glaring errors
in classification. The empire abounds with sub-
jects of the greatest interest to naturalists, and it is
to be regretted that the obstacles opposed to re-
search by the Chinese government, reader our
knowledge of the subject so limited and imperfect
As far as my researches, (which were prosecuted
with much inidustry,) extended, new and interest-
ing animals were perpetually occurring. The de-
scription of animals alone is not so difficult, as spe-
cimens of great numbers may be procured at" Can-
ton, while on the subject of their habits and man-
ners^ little or nothing can be ascertained except
from the accounts of the natives, which are scarce-
ly in any particular to be depended upon. The
plants of China are better known, while of the mi-
neral productions we are almost entirely ignorant
It is to be hoped that the difficulties which occur

244 CEI.EBBATION OP THE NEW TEAR.

will not prevent a persevering attempt to illustrate
the natural productions of the country more fully,
and to obtain more correct inforoiation relative to
the habits and economy of its curious animals**

CELEBRATION OF THE NEW YEAR.

The new year is a season of great festivity and
rejoicing with the Chinese. New clothes are
bought, houses undergo the only thorough cleaning
which they have during the year, visits are made,
cards of congratulation are sent, and, in short,
every body, from his Imperial Majesty down to
his meanest subject, tax their means to look parti-
cularly decent on this day. The streets are nearly
deserted^ business is suspended, and the shops are
all closed. The few persons who are met in the

• The mag^nificent Aviaiy of Thomas Beale, Esq. at Macao,
has acquainted us with many remarkable traits in the habits of
the Chinese birds, which are there found almost in a state of
nature. This unique collection comprises most of the Chinese
birds of interest, and some uncommonly rare and magnificent
species which are to be found in no other collection. In ad-
dition to these, there is a g^eat variety of other beautiful birds,
ftnd in particular I may mendon the Bird of Paradiae. A
splendid living- specimen is in the possession of Mr. Beale al-
most domesticated. It feeds from the hand of its amiable
owner without fear, and appears capable of being rendered
peffectly tame and familiar. This is perhaps the only specie
men at present existing in confinement

C£L£BBATION OF TH£ NEW YEAR. 245

Streets, are either going to visit, or they are the
servants, who, with a handful of red cards, are fly-
ing as fast as the multiplicity of their new year's
garments will allow them, to deliver the congra-
tulations of their masters to acquaintances and
friends.

Fire->crackers are kept going all night, and con-
tinue in full operation all day. It is deemed ab-
solutely necessary for every householder or boat-
holder to demonstrate his joy by crackers, whioh
are fired, hung from a bamboo, in long strings; so,
the depth of a man's pocket, or the extent of his
vanity or joy, may be safely calculated from the
wrecks of these inflammable nuisances, which are
strewed before his door. Besides these, sheets of red
or gilt paper, innumerable, which are cheaper, and
consequently more within the reach of those whose
purses cannot gratify, to the fullest extent, their
pyrotechnic propensities.

I observed that if the finances of the family are
not sufficient to procure for all its members com-
plete suits of clothing, that invariably some part is
new, and most commonly the cap or shoes. Black
satin boots are vanities indulged in by all who can
afibrd them. All the boats are «;arefuUy cleaned, and
in various parts are (Stated broad strips of bright
red paper, punched full of little boles ifi the mid-
•die, and sometimes sprinkled with goldJeaf* This
lis also dooa in the bouses.

Mendieanls at this time have reeoiirae to the
most extraordinary and revolting expedients to ofo-
21*

246 CELEBRATION OF THE NEW TEAR.

.tain alms. I saw a man^ who, as a victim of dis-
ease, was sufficiently horrible to excite the pity of
any one, parading the streets with a dead cat, tied
head and tail, hung from a stick, and with this sa-
voury accompaniment, he went into every shop,
and so annoyed the inmates by his shocking ap-
pearance, as to extort the unwilling charity imme-
diately; Others went about lacerating their faces '
and bodies with knives and razors, and, covered
with blood, attacked every likely person for a
small donation, which, to avoid being sprinkled
with the blood of thes^ poor wretches, they speedily
bestowed.

Whole families of half-naked women and chil-
dren line the streets, and seldom retire from the
attack of a passenger, without succeeding in annoy-
ing him into charity. Many of the women have
the small feet, and exhibit them nearly uncovered,
being too poor to purchase shoes.

Blindness among the lower orders is extremely
common; the beggars, who are very numerous, in
nine cases out of twelve are blind. I have seen a
string of five of these poor creatures, guided by the
foremost one, whose sight was perhaps not entirely
gone, wandering from shop to shop in search of
alms. This malady is, however, counterfeited by
some for the purpose of exciting pity; and I have
frequently observed them exhibit unequivocal signs
of sight, when they thought themselves unnoticed,
in stepping over impediments in their way.

ANCIENT CUSTOM. 347

ANCIENT CUSTOM.

The male sex enjoys in China, a higher rank
than the female, and the distinction of privilege
which is made between male and female children,
is very singular. Among the ancient Chinese, it
was the custom on the birth of a male child, to
place a bow on the left side of the door.* When
a female infant was born, a napkin was laid on the
right side. At the expiration of three days, the
child was carried out According to Morrison,
" the Chinese commentators add, that the ancients
laid much stress in distinguishing men from wo-
men, and boys from girls, by positive marks of su-
periority and inferiority, as in the above case, and
also by causing the boys to have the honour of
sleeping on a bed, but the girls to be degraded by
sleeping on the ground." The wise and gallant
writers of China, deny the softer sex any attribute
of worth beyond the passive obedience to duty,
which their cold-hearted morality dictates; they
gay of women,** if she does ill, she is not a woman,
if well, she is more than a woman." Truly this i.s
a heresy, for which the learned of the land deserve
to have the De StaeFs, Morgan's and De Sevigne's
of Christendom about their ears, armed with the
spirited efforts of their pens, to convert them to

' * In Chiiut the ib^ it the leatof honour.

248 ANCIBNT CUSTOM.

the true faith. It has been well said^ that the man
who can ill treat a woman in word or deed, almost
always proves, when tried, a coward, and in China
the rule may be said to apply admirably, as the
sex is there despised by a nation of men notorious
for its deficiency of moral courage.

I regret that my last page must cast another
stain on the character of this ancient people, but
the truth must be told, and I now leave it to the
judgment of unprejudiced men to determine the
title of the Chinese to the extravagant reputation
which travellers have given them. A word now
for myself. This little volume has been written
as an amusement for leisure hours, and the contents
are the result of my daily observations. As far as
I am able to determine, I have given the plain,
(and I hope unprejudiced,) truth, and I leave my
literary ofispring to make itself a reputation with
the world, or sink quietly into oblivion. If, how-
ever^ there should be found sufficient interest in
these pages to excite further curiosity, my note-
books may at some future day furnish materials for
another volume.

APPENDIX.

Titles of the Emperor.

His Imperial Majesty is denominated *' Wan-
^tfy-yay," " the father of ten thousand yestrs/'
^^ Shing-shangy^ *•• the wise and holy sovereign."
Also, *^ Teen-tsz€y^\ " the son of heaven," and
sometimes sijuply ** Shingj^^ *' high," meaning
the highest. The colour of the imperial standards,
and the uniform of the royal family, is bright
yellow. Letters, or despatches from the Emperor,
are enclosed in yellow silk, and persons travelling
on the highways, are compelled to dismount, and
stand aside, while the courier passes with the im-
perial missive.

Singular Phenomenon.

On a fine evening, whilst walking in the square
before the factories, I was much astonished by an
atmospheric phenomenon, which produced a beau-
tiful appearance. The sky was perfectly clear, and
the air calm, when suddenly there came a great
flash of light, which lasted for a second or two,
illuminating every object very dijstinctly. It did
not occur a second time, and the effect was pro-
bably electrical. Nightly illumin&tions of this
kind, are frequent in India^ when no rain has
fallen for some time.

240 APPENDIX.

Idolatry.

The followijag is a rough estimate of a native,
quoted by Dr. Morrison, in relation to the number
of persons who subsist by manufacturing the sacri-
ficing materials^and in the support of idolatry in Can-
ton Province. — ^Priests of the J?i^c?A sect,about4000;
makers of gilt paper, ^rt/en-jt?aow,y/.2000; makers
of shrines, 400; makers of candles, workmen, &c.
upwards of 10,000; manufacturers of Jos-sticky or
odoriferous matches, 10,000, or perhaps more.

Weights.

Solids and liquids are all sold by weight, even
fire-wood and wine. The denominations are as
follow: —

10 cash one candareen.
10. candareens one mace.
10 mace one tael.
10 taela one kin, or catty.
100 catties one pecul, or 133 § ft. avoirdu-
pois.

Money,

The only real coin is the Tung'tseen^ or cash,
the rest are imaginary.

10 cash one candareen.

10 candareens one mace.

10 mace one tael, or 13d cents.

H

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CAREl Y & liEA

HAVE RECENTLY PUBLISHED THE FOLLOWING

VALUABLE WORKS.

HISTORY OF EKGIiAKD,

By Sib JAMES MACKINTOSH, Vol L

BEIirO A JPOI^TIOir OF

The Cabinet History of the British Islands^

ZXBBAClirci

HISTORY of ENGLAND. By Sir James Macktbtosh, 3 vols.
HISTORY of SCOTLAND. By Sir Waitbb Scott, 2 vols.
HISTORY of IRELAND. By Thoitas Moork, 1 vol.

II. HISTORY of SCOTLAND. Bj Sir Walter
Scott, Bart, in 2 vols. 12roo.

The History of Scotland, by Sir Walter Soott, we do not hesitate to declare^
will be, if possible, more extensively read, than the mo»t popular work of fiction,
by the same prolific author, and for this obvious reason: it combines much of the
brilliant colouiinr of the Ivanhoe ^ctnres of by-gone mannen, and all the
ipraceful facUity ra style and pictnresquetaess of description of his other charms
ang^ romances, with a minute ndeEty to the Ikets of history, and a searching scru- *
tiny into their authenticity and relative value, which mig^ht put to die blush Mc
Hume and other professed historians.' Sach is the magic charm of Sir Walter
Scott^s pen, it has only to touch the simplest meident of every day life, and it
starts up invested with all the interest of a scene of romance: and yet such is hb
fidelity to the text of nature, that the kmghts, and ceifi, and collared fools with
whom his mventive genius has peopled so max^ Volumes, are regarded by us as
not mere crea'tions of fancy, byt as real flesh and blood existences, with all the
virtues, feelings and cmn of c<Hnmon place humanity.'*— Lt^ G<uu

III. CLARENCBj a Tale of our own Times. By
the Author of Redwood, Hopb Lesue, &c. In two volumes.

IV. CAMDEN; a Tale of the South. In two Vols.

V. ATLANTIC SOUVENIR, for 1S31.

EmbeliUhment*.—!, Fnmtispiecew The Shipwrecked Family, en^ved by
Ellis, from a picture by Burnet.— 2. Shipwreck of Fort Rouge Calais, engrav-
ed by Cllis, from a picture by Stanfield.— 3. Infancy, engrave by Kelly, from
a picture by Sir Thomas Lawrence.— 4. Lady Jane Grey, engraved by Kelly,
from a picture by I.«sfie.— 5. Three Score and Ten, engpraved by Kearny, ftom
a picture by BumeL— 6. The Hour of Rest, en^ved by Kelly, from a picture
by Burnet.— 7. The Minstrel, engraved by Ellis, from a picture by Leslie.— 8.
Arcadia, engntved by Kearny, from a picture by Cockerell.— 9. The Fisherman's
Return, engraved by Magle, from a pictuie by Collins.— 10. The Marchioness
of Carmarthen, grandaughter of Charles Carroll of CarroUton, engraved by Hl-
man and PiUbrow ft-om a picttire by Mrs. Mee.— 11. Morning among the Hills,
engraved by Hatch, from a picture by Doughy.— 12. Los Miuicos, engraved by
ElBs, from a picture by Watteau. (Nearly .ready.)

VI. The POETICAL WbRKS of CAMPBELL,
ROGERS, MONTGOMERY, LAMBE, and KIRKE WHITE,
beautifully printed, 1 vol. 8vo. to match Byron, Scott, Moore,
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VII. FALKLAND, a Novel, by the Author of
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VIII. MEMOIR on the TREATMENT of VENE-
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French of H. M. J. Desruelles, M. D. &c. To which is added.

2 Valuable Works

Obtervations by G. J. Guthrie, Esq. and rafiouB document
riiowing the results of this Mode of Tfestment, in Great Bri-
tain, Fnnce, Germany, and Americav 1 ▼ol. 8vo.

IX. PRINCIPLES of MILITARY SURGERY^
comprising Observations on the Arrangements, Police, and-
Practice of Hos^Htals, and on the History, Treatment, and
Anomalies of Variola and Syphilis; illustrated with cases and
dissections. By Johk Hsinrsir, M. D. F. R. S. E. Inspector of
Military Hospitals — first American from the third London edi^
tioo, with LUTe of the Author, by his son. Dr. Joaa Hsxvkh.

<*The vmlue of Dr. HennenH work is too well appreciated to seed any mam
of onn* We were only required then, to bring the third edition before the no^
lioe of oor readen; and having done this, we shall merely add, that the Tolnme
werits a place in every bbnury, and that no military sti^geon ought to he without
itr— Medical Gaxette.

*< Itis a woik of supererogatioa for us to eulogixe Dr. Hennen*s Militaiy Sur-^
eery; there ean be no see<md opinion on its o^ts. It u indispensable to tte m>>
fitary and naval suiweon.**— X.om/on Medical and Surgical JouvhoL

X. PATHOLOGICAL and PRACTICAL RE-

SEARCHES on DISEASES of the STOMACH, the IN-
TESTINAL CANAL, theLIYEli, and other VISCERA of the
ABDOMEN. By Joan AasacROMBiSy M. D.

** We have now closed a very kmg review o£ a very valuable work, and al>-
I^Migh we have endeavoured to eondense into our pa^ a great nuos of imniF-
taat matter, we feel that our au4ior has not yet received jnstice.*^— Jf ed. <^hir»

XL A COLLECTION of COLLOQUIAL
PHRASES on every Topic necessary to muntain Conversation,
arranged under diiferent heads^ with nun^erous remarks on
the peculiar pronunciation and use of various words — ^the
whole so disposed as considerably to facilitate the acqui^tion
of a correct pronuncfatioh of the French. By A. Boxxab. Oihb'
vol* 18mo.

XII. A TREATISE on PATHOLOGICAL ANA-
TOMY, by WiLLiAif E. HoBirsB, M. D. Adjunct Professor of
Anatomy m the University of Pennsylvania.

' ** We can eonscientiouBly eommend it to the members of the pnrf'etsion, as a
iatisfhctoiT, interestinr, and instructive view of the sul^ects discussed, md
as well aoapted to aid them in forming' ft correct appreciation of' the diseased
•onditions they are tailed on to relieve.*'— ^merJcim Journal tftke MaSai,
Seienceij, N** 9,

Xlil. A New Edition of a TREATISE of SPECIALr
and GENERAL ANATOMY, by the same author, 2 vols. 8vo.

XIV. COXE'S AMERICAN DISPENSATORY,

Eighth Edition, Improved and Enlarged.

XV. An ESSAY on REMITTENT and INTER-
MITTENT DISEASES, including genetically Marsh Fever and
Neuralgia — comprising under the former, various anomalies^
obscurities, and consequences, and under a new systematic
Tiew of the latter, treating of tic douloureux, sciatica, head-
ache, ophthalmia, toothache, palsy, and many other modes
and consequences of this generic disease; by John MaccuUoch,
If. D., F. R. S. &c. &c. Physician in Ordinary to his Royal
Highness Prince Leopold, of Saxe Cobourg.

<<]>r* Maccttlloeh is a p^eat philosopher and logician. His viem areca1e«Ialad
to do much rood. We have the«efoK6 taken peat mina to conoen|nte an4 dii>
fate them widely thBoufh the profcMiwu Nothinglrat a stroair ^^^^^i^^^^ ^^

PublUhed by Carey ^ Lea, 3

•Ae wwk before w contaim a multxtnde of vmlnable |;|nDS{.eooId hmtt indneed iH
il9 bcttow M much labour on the review. In rendenng^ Dr. Maeeulloeh^ wock
■Dore accetsible to the profession, w« are eonscious that we are doing the italt
«Qme ter^ice.^— Jlf«& Ctkr. Review,

** We most strongly recommend Dr. Maceull<K:h*s treatise to the attention of
onr medical brethrtn, as presenting a tnost valuable mass of information, on a
jnsst important subject.'*<4^ifm. Med, and Phvs, JmmaL

XVI. The ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, and DIS-
EASES of the TEETH. By Thomas Biix, F. R. S-, F. L. 8.

8tc In 1 vol. 8vo. with plates.

*< Mr. Bell has evidently endeavoured to eawtmct a work (^i^forence for the
ptaetitioner, and a text-book for the student, eontaininr a * plain and practical
■digest of the information at present yossested on the sobiect^ and results of the
author^s own invtstigations and experience.* "•***« We must now tske leave
of Mr- Bell, whose work we have no doubt will become a class book on the im-
portant subject of dental s\xrKex\,'"—Medic»^hirurgicnl Review*

XVII. MORALS of PLEASURE, illustrated by
Stories designed for Young' Persons, in 1 vol. 12mo.

^ The style of the storif s is no kra remarkable for its Hoe and graeeftiliKif,
than fw the delicacy of its humour, and its beautiful and at times affecting sim-
plicity. A lady muH have written it— /or it is from the bosom of woman akni^
that such tenderness of fiieliiig and such delicacy of sentiment— such sweet lea-
•ons of momlity— such det-n and pure streams ot virtue and piety, gush forth to
cleanse the Juvenile mind from the grosser impurities of our nature, and'prepare
the young for lives of usefulness here, and happiness hereafter. We advise p**
rents of joung families to procure tl^s little nook— assuring th^m that it will
have a tendency to render tWir ofTspnng as sweet as innocent, as inndbent aa

rents of joung families to procure tl^s litUe book— assuring th^m that it will
have a tendency to render tWir ofTspnng as sweet as innocent, as inndbent "
|ay,as ny as nappr. It is d«cdicatad b^ the author * to her young Bedfbi
inends, Anna ana Maria Jay*— but who this fair author is, we cannot even gua

We would advise s<Hnfe sensible educated bachelor to find out.**— 2i^. T, Com, Jd9»

XVIIL The PRACTICE of PHYSIC, bj W. P.
Dkwses, M. D. Adjunct Professor of Midwifery in the Universitj
of Pennmrlvania, 2 vols. 8vo.

The pro&ssion need not be informed how much a work like that now pnb>
Kshed was wanted. It has been the particular object of the author to endeavour
to accomU^oftate the mod^ of mansCLnsr the dia^y^ «» f *hUh t i«. tw) *>to «e 4h»
ttKiir pHihoiogieai oiscbvefies-recerilly maae, both hi this country and in Europe;
and naving also availed himself of his long experience, he trusts that his weili
will remove many of the embarrassments experienced by practitmnen.

XIX. DEWEES on the DISEASES of CHIL-
DREN. Third edition. In 8vo.

The objects of this work are, .1st, to teach those ^ho have the chaise of diil-
droi, ^Uier as parent or guardian, the most approved methods of securing and
improving their physical powtrs. This is atttnipttd by pointing out the di>>
ties which the parent or the guardian owes fm this purpose, to this interesting,
but helpless class of brings, and the manner by which their duties shall be fbl-
Alled. And 2d, to render available a long experience to these objects of om af-
fections, when they become diseased. InatU'niptingthis. the author has avmded
as mdch as was posnbte. ** technicality;** and has given, if he does not flatter him-
self too much, to each disease of which he treato, its appropriate and designat-
ing characters, with a fidelity that will prevent any two being confounded, to-
gether with the best mode tA treating them, that either his own experience or
.Uiat of others has sunested.

XX. DEWEESon the DISEASES of FEMALES.

Second edition with additions, tn 8vo.

XXI. DEWEES'S SYSTEM of MIDWIFERY.
fourth edition, with additions.

XXII. CHAPMAN'S THERAPEUTICS and MA-
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XXIII. The ATLANTIC SOUVENIR, for 1830, in
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The puolishers have spared neither pains nor expense in endeavutiring M
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.roiir wjiich its pr^fl^eQaKna.bave ci^oyed. All the impmnoni King ftum tieel

4 Fa/ffqbfe TForks

render tlian equally peffeet, and tlie faindinir b^g a fancy leather, the wboi&
will be rendered more pennuieiit. In the Ust of Authors will be found many
of the most distingttislwd wrifeos in Aisjeountry.

A few copies remain unsold of the ATLANTIC SOUVENIR,
a Christmas and New Year's Present for 182r, 1828, and 1829,
with numerous embellishments by the best Artidts.

XXIV. A CHRONICLE of the CONQUEST of
GRENADA, by Washihotoit Iryiito, Esq. in 2 vols.

'* On the whole, this work will sustain the. high fame of Washington Irving.
It fills a blank in the historical library which ought not to have remained, so
long a blank. The language Uirdhghout is at once chaste and animated; and
the narrative may be said, like Spencer's Fairy Queen, to present one long gal-
lery of splendid pictures. Indeed, we know no pagte from which the artist ii
more likely to derive inspiration, nor perhaps are there many incidents in lite>
lary history more surprising than that thb antique and chivalrous story should
hAve been for the first time told worthily by the pen of an American and a re-
publican.*' — London Literary (kacttt. '

Becently published new Editions of the follomng works
by the same Author.

THE SKETCH BOOK, 2 vols. 12mo.

KNICKERBOCKER'S HISTORY of NEW YORK, 2 vols.
12mo.

BR^CEBRIDGE HALL, 2 vols. 12mo.

TALES of a TRAVELLER, 2 vols. 12mo.

XXV. NEUMAN'S SPANISH and ENGLISH
DICTIONARY, new Edition.

XXVI. The WISH-TON-WISH, bj the Author of
the Spy, Pioneers, Red Roveb, &c, in 2 vols. 12mo.

** We can conceive few periods better calculated to offer a nromising field to
the novelist than that which these pages illustrate;— the mingling of wildest ad-
▼enture with the most plodding inaustry — ^the severe spirit of the religion of the
flnt TvmtriWAu >o«u«r» 4ib« fcji m flf m£' ^joxL^dhrAA KnA Qoine at variance with all
earlier associations of country — the maenificence of the scenery by M'hich tber
were sumiunded— their neighbourhooa to that most picturesque and extraordi-
nary of neople we call savages;— these, surely, are materials for the novelist, and
in Mr. Cooper^s hands they nave lost none of their interest* We shall not attempt
to detail the narrative, but only say it is well worthy of the high reputation of
its author. All the more serious scenes are worked up to the highest pitch of
excitement; if any where we have to complain of aught like failui%, it i^n the
lighter paits, and some of the minor details which are occasionally, spun out
too much."— Lonrfon Literary Gazette.

New Editions of the following Works by the same
** Author.

The RED ROVER, in 2 vols. 12mo.
The SPY, 2 vols. 12mo.
The PIONEERS, 2 vols. 12mo.
The PILOT, a Tale of the Sea, 2 vols. 12mo.
LIONEL LINCOLN, or the LEAGUER of BOSTON, 2 yojs.
The LAST of the MOHICANS, 2 vols. 12mo.
The PRAIRIE, 2 vols. l2mo.

XXV II. A TOUR in AMERICA, bj Basil Hall,
Captain, R. N. in 2 vols. 12mo.

XXVIII. AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY, or NA-
TURAL HISTORY of BIRDS inhabiting the UNITED
STATES, by CflARi.£8 Luciak Boitapaiite; designed as a
continuation of Wilson's Ornithology, vols. X., II. and III.

•»• Gentlemen who possess Wilson, and are deairoiis of ren-

SHtbBtihed ly Varey if Lea. 5

deringf the work complete, are infoimed thkt the edition of
this work is very small, and that but a very limited number of
•copies remain unsold.

XXIX. HEBER'S TRAVELS in INDIA, second
American Edition, 2 vols. 12mo.

*«* A few copies of th« fine edition, in 2 vols. 8vo. still cflr
iinain unsold.

XXX. The AMERICAN QUARTERLY RE«
^VIE W, No. XV. Coii/«nto.— The Gulistan of Sadi— Napoleon
:and Bourienne.— Anthon's Horace — falkland and Paul Clif-
ford. — Tanner's Indian Narrative.— -Dramatic Literature. —
British Debate concerning Mexico. — Sunday Mails.-— Life of
.Sir Thomas Hunro.<— Fanatical Guides. — TertM, Jive dolkufi
oer annum.

XXXI. The AMERICAN JOURNAL of the ME-
DICAL SCIENCES, No. Xir. for August, 1830. Among the
-Collaborators of this work are Professors Bigelow, Cbanning^
X)hapman, Coxe, Davidge, De Butts, Dewees, Dickson, Dud-
ley, Francis, Gibson, Godman, Hare, Henderson, Horne^
Hosack, Jackson, Macneven, Mott, Mussey, Fhysiek, Potter,
Sewall, Warren, and Worthington; Drs. Daiiiell, Emerson,
•Fearn, Griffith, Hays, Hay ward, Ives, Jackson, King, Moultrie*
Spence, Ware, and Wright* — TermSf five dollara per annum.

XXXII. TRAVELS of the DUKE of SAXE-WEI-
MAR in the UNITED STATES, in 8vo.

XXXIIL WALSH'S JOURNEY from CONSTAN-
TINOPLE to ENGLAND, in 12mo.

** Thit is a very uitereating and a popular volume, and it can be fearienly i«-
.ecNnmended at one cf die nMt eipgaging voluoiet that have lately aeen tha
Jicfat.**— Jir«n/A/y Review,

XXXIV. FRANKLIN»S SECOND EXPEDITION

:to the ARCTIC OCEAN, in 8vo.

XXXV. ELIA. Essays published under that name
•in the London Magazine, in 2 vds. •

XXXVI. BROUGHAM'S SPEECH on the PRE-

SENT STATE of ENGLISH LAW, in 8vo.

XXXVIL RUTIN'S MANUAL of PHYSIO-
2LOOT, in 12mo.

XXXVHL ANECDOTES of the COURT of NA-

5POLEON, by M. De Baussst, Prefect of the Pakce, in 8vo.

** Theaneedotet of the imperial court are very garrulout and amuiiDg'.**^Mrar

XXXIX. LORD BYRON and some of his CON*
TEMPORARIES, by Lxish Huht, in 8vo.

'BCr. Ldrh Hunt, however, is not one of theae dilhonett cbronielen. Hi*
•.pocltion witB regard to Lord Byron, and the long and intimate habita of inter*
tcoone with him which he enjoyed, enabled him to-eontemplate the noble poet^
■ chaiaeter, in aU iti daikneM and brig^KCncsa. Gifted, too, hke the mlyeet of hit

all that was i«Jly piquant about his lordship, he is infinitely above retailing

low Konip and gaxbage, which some memoir writers have done, in the true apir
xit ora waitioK maid or Ueqney;"— Ifes* Uotahhf Mofftxime,

Valuable Works

XL. DEATHBED SCENES and PASTORAL
CONVERSATIONS, by the late Johw Whxbtoit, D. D. in
8vo. Con^fn/9.— Chap. I. Infidelity.— II. Atheism.— in. De-
spair. — IV. Parental Anger. — ^V. Baptism. — VI. Penitence. —
VII. Proselytism.— Vm. Impatience. — ^IX. Reli^ous Melan-
choly.— X. Scepticism.

XLI. PHILOSOPHY in SPORT made SCIENCE
in EARNEST, in 2 vols. 18mo.

XLIL STRICKLAND'S REPORTS upon the
CANALS, RAIL-ROADS, and other PUBLIC WORks of
GREAT BRITAIN, in folio, with plates.

XLIII. LAVOISNE'S UNIVERSAL, HISTORT-
CAL, GEOGRAPHICAL, and CHRONOLOGICAL ATLAS,
folio, containing 71 maps.

XLI V. HISTORICAL, GEOGRAPHICAL, and

STATISTICAL AMERICAN ATLAS, folio.

. XLV. VIVIAN GREY, 5 vols. 12mo. -

<< We hail the author as a master in hu art: and we uuij venture to appeal to
the work he has produced as at once a pro^^ostic and accomplishment of origi-
nal invention, that rare faculty in the gemus of tlus acre."

XL VI. MANUAL of MATERIA MEDICA and
PHARMACY. By H. M. Edwakds, M. D. and P. Vavasseur,
M. D. comprising' a Concise Description of the Articles used
in Medicine; their Physicaf and Chemical Properties; the Bo-
tanical Characters of the Medicinal Plants; the Formulae for the
Principal Officinal Preparations of the American, Parisian,
Dublin, Edinburgh, &c. Pharmacopceias; with Observations on
the Proper Mode of Combining* ana Administering l^medies.
Translated from the French, with numerous Additions and
Corrections, and adapted to the Practice of Medicine and to
the Art of Pharmacy in the United States. By Joseph Topiro,
M. D. Member of the Philadelphia Medical Society, and E.
DuRAirs, Member of the Philadelphia Coflege of Pharmacy.

<* It contfuns all the phannacetilical infonnation that the physician ean desice,
andpn addition, a larger mass of information, in relation to the properties, &e.
«f the different articles and preparations employed in medicine, tnan any of the
dispensatories, and we think will entirely supersede all these pafolications in the
library of the physiciaihV-^Anu Jnim, of the Medical Sciences,

XLVII. An EPITOME of the PHYSIOLOGY,
GENERAL ANATOMY, and PATHOLOGY of BICHAT, by
Thomas HEWDBiiSGir, M. D. Professor of the Theory and Prac-
tice df Medicine in Columbia College, Washington City. 1
Tol. 8vo.

" The epitome of Dr. Henderson ought and must find a place in the library
of erer^f physician desirous of oseful knowledge for himselr, or of being instru-
mental in impartixigit to others, whose studies he is expected to superintend.*'—
2forth American Medical and Surgical Journal. No, IS,

XL VIII. ADDRESSES DELIVERED on VARI-
OUS PUBLIC OCCASIONS, by Johk D. Godmait, M. D. late
Professor of Natural History to the Franklin Institute, Profes-
sor of Anatomy, &c. in Kutgers QoUege, &c. &c. With an
Appendix, containing a Brief Explanation of the Injurious
lEfTects of Ti^ht Lacing upon the Organs and Functions of
Respiration, Circulation, Digestion, &c. 1 yoL 8yo.

fvblUhed by Carey ^ Lea. 7

XLIX. ELEMENTS of PHYSICS, or NATU-
HAL PHILOSOPHY, GENERAL and MEDICAL, expUuned
independently of TECHNICAL MATHEMATICS, and cont
tfldning^ New Disquisitions and Practical Suggestions. By
NxiL Abitott, M. D. First American from the third London
edition, with additions^ by Isaac Hats, M. D.

*«* Of this work four editions have been printed in England in a Tery ihoxt
time. All the Reviews speak of it in the hiehtest terms.

L- A JOURNEY ROUND MY ROOM, from
the French of Count Xaviicr i.e Maistrs.

LI. LAFAYETTE in AMERICA, in 1824 and
1825; or a Journal of a Voyage to the United States, by
A. Levassiur, Secretary to the General during his journey^
2 Tols- 12mo. Translated by John D. Godmaw, M. D.

<* Although the Natiou^s Guest may not have reyised these volumes, they mutt
be received as perfectly authentic. M. Levasseur appeals, for the trath of hit
statements, to millions of witnesses. We ourselves stized them with avidity, as
■oon as they came M'ithin our reach, and on the whole deriv«d from them the nch
gratification which we expected. Sevei-al parts excite emotions like those which
were produced by the presence of Lafayette: they kindle anew an enthusiastic
national glow; tlie seeretary is often eloquent in his pictures and sentiment; h«
-writes with uniform proiiriety, we might say elegance."— ^a<<©na/ Gazette*

LIL BISHOP HEBER'S POEMS, with a ME-
MOIR of his LIFE, IStno.

LIII. Major LONG'S EXPEDITION to th6

ROCKY MOUNTAINS, 2 vols. 8vo. with 4to Atlas.

LIV. Major LONG'S EXPEDITION to the
SOURCES of the MISSISSIPPI, 2 vols. 8vo. with Plates.

LV. NOTIONS of the AMERICANS, by a Tca-
▼elbng Bachelor, 2 vols. 12mo. By tlie Author of the Spt,

PlOH««RS, &c.

LVL INTERNAL NAVIGATION of the UNIT-

ED STATES, with Maps.

LVIL LIGHTS, and SHADOWS of ENGLISH
LIFE, 2 vols. 18mo.

LVm. REUBEN APSLEY, by the author of
Bbakblstte Houss, 2 vols. 12mo. .

LIX. A SELECTION of ONE HUNDRED
PEBRIN'S FABLES, accompanied by a Key, &c. &c. by A.
Boi^mab, professor of the French Language.

LX. TALES of a GRANDFATHER, by the Au*
tbor of Waviribt, 3d series, in 2 vols. 18mo.

LXI. JOURNAL of a SECOND EXPEDITION
into the Interior of Africa from the Bight of Benin to Socca-
too, by the late Commaitme Ciappertok, Royal Navy. To
which is added the Journal of Richard Lander, from Kano to
the Sea-coast, partly by a more eastern route, chiefly laid down
from actual observations and longitudes, in 1 vol. 8vo.

LXII. LACONICS, or the Best Words of the Best
Authors,' with the augiorities and numerous portraits, in 3 vok.
18mo. first American edition.

« The design is well contrived: the aphoiisnware selected vrith jlidgmentihnn
■tfmy of our best authors."— Niew Monthly Magaxine,

« Thia little work is realty composed of ffems of genius.**— LIfrrary CkrvrUck*

* The tdectSon of extncti in this work i« from standard writext, and it so ju-

Valuable Worksj 9^.

fttSoof that it mfty be uSeiy given tothe youth of bocfaiexet; weyneerely icMii-
■tend the publication.*^— iMMitA/y Magazine*

''The tide of tins book iiio f|;uod as ainioct to render explanation rapetflnota;
itii one vkhieh may be taken up occaiionally, and a little ot* it read at a tiaK,
with pleasure and with profit; and w managvd, way well last oiu's life without
-veanneas; for if the ideas you hit uim>u are nut always profuund or beautiful,
they an; at least curious and provocative of reiltxion; and the taii^age is gen&>
.tally fpood, often exouisite; it is the rtsult off a most extensive itadutgasstsied bgr
a nie« perception d unerit."— £A-ayntn«f .

LXlll. The HISTORY of LOUISIANA, particu-
Imrly of the Cession of that Colony to the United States of
North America; with an introductoiy Essay on the Constitu-
tion and Government of the United States^ by M. o£ Makbois,
Peer of France, translated from the French by an American
dtizen, in 1 vol. 8vo.

** From the extracts with which we have indulged our readers, tfa^ will be
aMe to form an idea of the clianicter and spirit of M. de Marbois^s performanee.
The outline which we have drawn, however, does veiy scai.ty jusuee to them^'
rits of the whole m'ork, which, we repeat,is in our judgment the btst that has i^
cently appeared, either at home or abroad, on some of the most important topic*
of Amenean history and politics. If we do not ag;;ree with all the author's op»>
nionSf we cannot but accoi-d to him unqualified praise for his fainiess, liberality,
coodjud^niint, and enlightened views. The volume will be a treasure anumr
me historical annals of the country. We are g^tad to know that a ti-anslation ot
.it by » competent hand is in pro|^iY«s in Paris, and will speedily be published ia
•the United States."— yorrA American Jtevieio,

LXl V.EVANS'S MILL WRIGHTartd MILLER'S
4GUID£« New edition, with additions;, by Dr. T. P. Joxxs.

IN THE PRESS,

L The YOUNG LADIES' BOOK, a Manual of
Instructive Exercises, Recreations and Pursuits. With nu-
merous plates^

IL CHEMISTRY APPLIED to the ARTS, on
the basis of Gray's Operative Chemfst. - In 8vo. with no-
merous plates.

IIL A NEW WORK on RAIL ROADS, with plates.

IV. The PRINCIPLES and PRACTICE of

MEDICINE, by Samu£l Jackson^ M. D.

V. EXAMINATION of MEDICAL DOC-
TRINES and SYSTEMS of NOSOLOGY, preceded by PRO-
POSITIONS containing the SUBSTANCE of PHYSIOLOGX-
GAL MEDICINE, by F. J. V. Br*vssats, Officer of the
Royal order of the Legion of Honour; Chief Physician and
First Professor in the Militaty Hospital for Instruction at Pa*
<is, &c; &c. &c. Third edition. Translated from the French,
:by Isaac Hats, M. D. and R. E. Griffith, M. D.

VL The M USSELM AN, a Tale. Bj R. Maddjbk^

VIL ARNGTT'S ELEMENTS of PHYSIC, vol. 2.
VIIL ENCYCLOPJEDIA AMERICANA, vol. 4.

IX. SKE1X::HES of CHUJA, with illustrations
^from Qr|gi«al Drawings. By W. W. Wood, in'l vol. l!^ino.

X. BECLARD'S GENERAL ANATOMY, in 1
vvol. 8vo.

XL WISTAB^ ANATOMY, fifth edition.

Philadelphia, May, 1830. .

Just Published^ by Carey 4* ^^^i

And Bold in Philadelphia hy E. L. Carey 4r -A- Hart; in New- York

hy G, 4r C. jr H. Carvilt; in Boston by Carter 4r Sendee— in Charleston

by W. H. Berrettr-An New-Orleans by W. MKean; by the principal

booksellers, throughout the Union,

AND IN LONDON, BY JOHN MILLER, ST. JAM£:S*S STREET.
VOLUMES m.
. OGHTAXVXNG ILBOTTT 1600 ARTIOi:.ES,

(7b he continued at intervals of three months,)

OP THE

ENCYCLOPEDIA AMERICANA:

.A

POPULAR DICTIONARY

OP

ARTS. SCIENCES, LITERATURE. HISTORY. AND POLITICS;

BROUOnT DOWN TO THE PRKSBMT TIMB AND INCLUmNO ▲ C0PI017S
COLLKCTION OF OKIOINAL ARTICLU IH

AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY:

On the hosts of the Seventh Edition of the German

CONVERSATIONS-LEXICON-

- EuvcED BY Dr. FRANCIS LIEBER,
Assisted by EDWARD WIGGLESWORTH, Eso.

To be completed in ttodve large volumes, octavo, price to subsorihers, houmd
in doth, two doUars and a half each.

EACH VOLUBSE WILL CONTAIN BETWEEN 600 AND 700 PAGES.

The Conversation Lexicon, of which the seventh edition in
twelve volumes has lately been published in Germany, origin
ated about fifteen years since. It was intended to supply a want
occasioned by the character of the age, in which the sciences,
arts, trades, and the various forms of faiowledge and of active
life, had become so much extended and diversified, that no in-
dividual engaged in business could become well acquainted
with all subjects of general interest ; while the wide dlfiiision
of information rendered such knowledge essential to the charajc-
ter of an accomplished man. This want, no existing works
were Adequate to supply. Books treating of particular branch-
es, such as gazetteers, &c. were too confined in character;
while voluminous Encyclopoedias were too learned, scientific,

H ENCYCLOPEDIA AHERICA??A.

ftzid cumbrous, being usually cla1)0Tate treatises, requiring much
study or previous acquaintance with the subject discussed. The
conductors of tlie Conversation Lexicon endeavored to select
from every branch of knowledge what was necessary to a well-
informed mind, and to give popular views of the more abstruse
branches of learning and science ; that their readers might not
be incommoded, and deprived of pleasure or, improvement, by
^oranceof ikeffi or expressions used in books or conversation.
Such a work must obviously be of great utility to every class 6(
readers. It has been found so nruch £0 in Germany, that it
is met with evwy where, among- the learned, tlie lawyers, the
military, Krtists, merchants, mechanicG^ and men of all stations.
The reader may judge how well it is adapted to its object*
from the circumstance, that though it now consists of twelve
volumes, foven editions, comprisinff* about one bundred thou-
sand copiss, have been printed id less than fifteen years. It
has been translated into the Swedish, Danish and Di:tch laiv-
guages, nnd a French translation is now preparing in Pari&

A great advantage of this work is its iifaNeral and impartial
character ; and there can be no doubt that a book like the £n-
4^cLOP^oiA Americana will be found peculiarly useful in this '
country, where the wide diffusion of the blessings coeducation,
•and the constant intercourpe of all classes, create a great de-
jnand for general hiformation.

In the preparation of the work thus far, the Editors have
been aided by many gentlemen of distinguished ability ; and for
€he continuation, no efibrts sliall be spared to secure the aid of
All who can, in any way, contribute to ..render it worthy of
patronage.

The American Biography, which is very extensive, will be
furnished by Mr. Walsh, who has long paid particular atten-
tion to that branch of our literature, and from materials in the
<jollection of which he has been engaged for some yeara For
obvious reasons, the Doiices of distinguished Aibericans will be
confined to deceased individuals: the European biography con-
tains notices of all distinguished living characters, as well as
those of past timea

The articles on Zoology Imve been written expressly for the
present edition by Dr. John D. Godhan; those on Chemistry
and Mineralogy, by a gentleman deeply versed in those de-
partments of science.

In relation to the Fine Arts, the work will be exceedingly
ridi. Great attention was given to this in the German work,
and the Editors have been anxious to render it, by the neofssary
additions, as perfect as possible.

To gentlemen of the Bar, the work will be peculiarly valua-
^ICf as in cases where legal subjects are treated^ an account is

given of the provisions (^Amerioan, English, French, Pmasiaor
Austrian, and Civil Law.
The Pablishera believe it will be admitted, thai this work i»
, one of the cheapest ever published in this country. They have
been desirous to render it worthy of a place in the best libraries^
while at the same time they have fixed the price so low as to
put it within the reach of all who read.

Tbow who ean. by any hottest modes of economy, raaervo the fum of t#o'
dollars and fifty oenu quarterly, froa» their flimily uzpcnsea, may pay for tiba
work as fast as it is published ; and wc confidently believe thai tiicy will- find
at the end that they nerer putehamd so much general, practical, asefUl iafor-
Biation at so cheap a rate.— Jiimntii/ ef Ethutaiein.

If the eacoura«euient to the publishers should correspond with the testimony
in fiivor of their enterprise, and the beautiful and faithful style of its execu-
tion, the hazard of the u^itertaking, bold as it was, will be well compensated;
and our libraries will be enriched by thp most generally oseAil encyclopedic
dictionary that h^ been offered to the readers of the English language. Full
enough for the general scholar, and plain enough for every capacity, it is far
more convenient, in every view and form, than its more expensfve and ponder
oUB predecessors— dffmertcaa Farmer.

The high reputation of the contributors to this work, will not fail to imort
it a favorable reception, and its own meriu will do the rest.- .St7/tniim'« Jintm.

The work will be a valuable possession to eveiy fiimily or individual that
can aflbrd to purchase it; and we take pleasure, therefore, itt extending tte
knowledge of its merits.— AbciraiU Intelkgemctr.

The Encyclopedia Americana is a prodigious, improvement upon all that
has gone before it; a thing for our country, as well as the country that gave
^it birth, to be proud of; an inexhaustible treasury of usefiil, pleasant and A-
miliar learning on every possible subject, so arranged as to be speedily and
safely referred to on emergency, as well as on deliberate inquiry ; and better
^still, adapted to the understanding, and put within the reach of the multituda.
« * * 71k EUnydopoBdia Americana is a work without which no library
worthy of the name can hereafter be made up.— FanA««.

The copious information which, if a just idea of the whole may be formed-
firom the finA volume, this work afibrds on American su^ects, fully justifies
its title of an American Dictionary ; while at the same time the exteht, varie-
ty, and felicitous disposition of its topics, make it the most convenient and'
satisAictory EncydopiBdia that we have ever seen.->JVatt«iM/ Joarna^

If the succeeding volumes shall equal in merit the one belbre lui, we may
confidently anticipate for the work a reputation and useAilness which ought
to secure for it the moBt flattering encouragement and patronage.— Aderol

The variety of topies if of course vast, and they are treated in a manner
which is at once so fuH of information and so interesting, that4he work, in
stead of being merely refeived to, mtghl be regularly perused with aa much
pleasure as profit— AiAinwnr Jftmaictm.

We view it as a publication worthy of the age and of the country, and can-
not but believe the discrimination ofour countrymen wHl sustain the publish-
ers, and well reward them for this contribulioii to American Literature.—
JttaittSMrs PatriaL

We cannot doubt that the succeeding vofumes will equal the first, and w«
hence warmly recommend the work to the patrona|re of the public, aa beingjty
tu the best work of the kind over oflfered for sale in this country.— 17. 8. vox.

It reflects the greatest credit on those who have been concerned in its pro^
duction, and promises, in a variety of respects, to be the best as well as the

Nit compendious dictionary of the arts, sciences, history, politics, biography,
mm. which has yet been compiled. The style of the portion we have read
ia terse and pdrspicuous ; and it is really curious how so much scientific and
other information could have been so satisftctorily communicated imsucb brkf
lirnita.- JV. r. Eoeninf Past.

A eompendiotts library, and invaluable book of ieforence.—JVl T* .

.r^

4 ENCYCLOPEDIA AMBBICANA.

This cannot bat prove a valuable addition to tbe literature of tlMfa^e.^JlKir
Advertiser.

The appearance of the first volume of this valuable -vvrork in this country, m
«n event not less creditable to its enterprising publishers, than it is likely to,
prove lastingly beneficial to tlic public. When completed, according to the'
model presented by the first volume, it will deserve tn be regarded as the spirit
of all the best Encyclopaedias, since it comprises whateft^er is really desirable
and necessary in them, and in addition, a large prOj^rtion of articles entirely
original, or expressly written for its pages. This is the condition of all tbe^
articles of American Biography, by Mr. Walsh; those on Zoology, hy Dr. God-
man ; and those on Mineralogy and Otaemistr}', by a gentleman of Boston,
distinguished for his successful devotion to those studies. The work aboonda
With interesting and useful matter, presented in a condensed and perspicuooB
style ; nor is it one of its least commendations that it is to be comprised in
twelve octava volumes, which may be placed on an office table, or occupy a
shelf in the parlor, lever ready for immediate reference, instead of requiring
almmit a room to itself, like its ponderous predecessors, the Britannica, Edin-
bttrgensis, Jtc

liie vast circulation thii work has had in Europe, where it has already been
xeprinted in four or five languages, pot to speak of the numerous German edi-
tions, of which SEVEN have been published, speaks loudly in favor ot its in-
trinsic merit witliout which such a celebrity could never have been attained.
To every n^n engaged in public business, who needs a correct and ample book
frf" reference on various topics of science and letters, the Encyclopeedia Ameri-
cana will be almost invaluable, lo individuals obliged to ^o to situations
where books are neither numerous nor easily procured, the rich contents of
these twelve volumes will prow a mine which will amply repay its purchaser,
and be with difficulty exhausted, and we recommend it to their patronage in
the fUU conviction of its worth. Indeed it is difficult to say to what class of
readers such a book would not prove useful, nay, almost indispensable, since
it combines a great amount of valuable matter in small compass, and at mode-
rate expense, and is in every respect well suited to augment the reader's stock
of ideas, and powers of conversation, without severely taxing time or fatiguing
attention. These, at^^least, are our conclusions after a close and candid ex-
amination of the first volume. — ^m. Daily Mvertiser. ^

We have seen and carefully examined the first volume of the Encyclopesdia
Americana, just published by Carey, Lea and Carey, and think our readers may
be congratulated upon the opportunity of making such a valuable accession to
their libraries. — Aurora.

The department of American Biography, a subject of whi<^ it rtiouM ha
disgraceful to be ignorant, to the degree that many are, is, in this work, a
prominent feature, and has received the attention of one of the most indefati-
gable writers in this department of literature, which the present age can fhr-
niah.-^Bo8ton Courier.

According to the plan of Dr. Lieber, a desideratum will be supplied ; the sub-
stance of contemporary knowledge will be bnRight within a small compass; —
and the character and uses of a manual will be imparted to a kind of publica-
tion heretofore reserved, on strong shelves, foroccasional reference. By thosa
who understand the German language, the Gmversation Lexicon is consulted
ten times for one application to any English Encyclopeedia.— JVattona2 Oax.

The volume now published is not only highly honorable lo the taste, ability
and industry of its editors and publishers, but furnishes a prroud sample of this
accuracy and elegance, with which the most elaborate and important literary
enterprises may now be accomplished in our country. Of the manner in which
the editors have thus far completed their task, it is impossible, in the course of
a "brief newspaper article, to speak with adequate justice.— Boston BuUetin.

We have looked at the contents, generally, of the second volume of thBi
work, and think it merits the encomiums which have been bestowed oa it in
the northern papers. It continues to be particularly rich in the department
of Biography and Natural History. When we look at the large mass of mis-
eellaneous knowledge sprewd before the reader, in a form which has never been
equalled for its condensatim, and conveyed in a style that cannot be surpassed
for propriety and perspicuity, we cannot but think that the American Ency-
alopgedia deserves a place f o every collection, in which works of refcrenca ibrm
A porttOB."--«8in(Ueni Potrtoe.

O^r

t

UUl

y - !»QU